Arizona is one of the toughest states for renters to find affordable homes.
Renters must work 76 hours a week making the minimum wage to pay for a one-bedroom apartment in Arizona, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s latest "Out of Reach" report.
At $27.25 an hour, Arizona has the 14th highest housing wage in the U.S. for a one-bedroom. The nonprofit’s housing wage is the amount needed to rent a “modest” apartment.
“The report shows that even amid an improving economic landscape, low-wage workers and other renters continue to struggle with the high cost of rent,” said CEO Diane Yentel.
She said federal policies and resources are critical in preventing evictions and homelessness and helping renters with the lowest incomes.
Arizona rents shot up during the pandemic but have dipped slightly since then. Still, many tenants across the state are struggling to pay their monthly housing costs.
To afford a two-bedroom, an Arizona renter earning the minimum wage of $14.35 must work 91 hours per week.
The analysis is based on a one-bedroom in the state costing $1,417 and a two-bedroom costing $1,700 monthly.
The nonprofit agency’s housing wage estimates the hourly income a full-time worker must earn to afford rent without spending more than 30% of their income.
Nationally, the 2024 housing wage for a one-bedroom is $26.74, according to the report.
More affordable apartments are underway in Arizona, and housing advocates are working with schools and churches to build rentals on their unused land.
In many Valley cities, service workers, teachers, firefighters and police officers can’t afford to rent, according to Elliott D. Pollack and Co., an economic consulting firm based in Scottsdale.
Reach the reporter at catherine.reagor@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8040. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @CatherineReagor .
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona ranks as 14th priciest state for renters. Here's what you need to earn to afford rent
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