How much money do you need to make to afford rent in California? What new study says

California has the highest housing costs in the country, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

The nonprofit organization looked at what you need to make in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to comfortably afford a two-bedroom rental home — and the Golden State topped the list.

“Even in states with the least expensive rents, a renter working full time and earning less than $18 per hour is unable to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment,” said the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which is dedicated to creating public policies for affordable housing for low-income individuals.

In California, you need to earn nearly $50 per hour in order to afford a two-bedroom rental.

That’s pricier than Massachusetts, New York and Hawaii.

Residents in states with lower housing costs also face affordability challenges because they generally earn lower incomes, the housing coalition said.

Here’s how much you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in California:

How much money do you need to earn to afford rent in California?

Approximately 44% of California residents are renters, the National Low Income Housing Coalition said.

Residents of California need to earn $47.38 an hour to comfortably afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment or house, which costs $2,464 a month on average, the organization said.

Those earning minimum wage — $16 an hour — would have to work 118 hours a week to afford such a place.

To afford a studio apartment in California, which costs about $1,785 a month, individuals need to earn approximately $34.33 per hour.

California residents need to earn an hourly wage of $38.26 to afford rent for a one-bedroom apartment or house, which costs $1,989 on average.

To afford a three-bedroom rental for about $3,240 a month, renters in the Golden State would need to earn $62.30 per hour.

Those interested in renting a four-bedroom home for $3,710 a month would need to make $71.35 per hour.

With the minimum wage set at $16 an hour in California, the organization said a person would have to work approximately 96 hours a week to afford a modest one-bedroom rental.

A full-time worker earning minimum wage can comfortably afford a monthly rent of $832, the coalition said.

What are the most expensive states for renters in the US?

These were the top 10 states and districts in the United States in terms of housing costs, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition:

1. California
2. Massachusetts
3. New York
4. Hawaii
5. Washington
6. District of Columbia
7. New Jersey
8. Colorado
9. Maryland
10. Florida

How much do I need to afford rent in Sacramento? Modesto?

The National Low Income Housing Coalition said Sacramento residents need to earn roughly $40 an hour to comfortably afford a two-bedroom rental.

Modesto residents need to earn between $28.08 and $32.31 an hour to afford renting a two-bedroom home or apartment.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Merced residents need to earn between $24.62 and $31.15 an hour to comfortably afford a two-bedroom rental.

Fresno residents need to earn roughly $25.77 an hour to afford a rental of that size.

Residents of San Luis Obispo need to earn between $43.65 and $52.31 an hour to comfortably afford rent on a two-bedroom property, the National Low Income Housing Coalition said.

You can find out rental information for other cities by entering your zip code on the organization’s website.

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