No Florida city ranks in the top 100 for rental affordability nationwide, according to a new WalletHub analysis of 182 U.S. cities.
Jacksonville placed highest among Sunshine State markets at No. 125 nationally, with renters spending 25.16% of median household income on rent and an overall affordability score of 46.61.
St. Petersburg ranked No. 153 with a score of 39.14, requiring 26.54% of income for rent. Fort Lauderdale followed at No. 155 (score 37.94, 26.76% of income), and Tallahassee at No. 158 (score 36.51, 27.03% of income).
Other Florida cities fared worse: Tampa ranked No. 159, Pembroke Pines No. 174, Orlando No. 175, and Miami dead last at No. 182, where rent consumes 33.77% of median household income — the highest percentage in the country.
WalletHub calculated affordability by comparing median annual gross rent to median household income in each city, then scoring the percentage of income needed to cover rent.
Bismarck, North Dakota, topped the list with a perfect score of 100, requiring just 15.29% of income for rent.
The study highlights persistent challenges for Florida renters, with multiple cities clustered near the bottom due to high rents relative to local wages.
Data for the report was collected as of March 2026.
