 TITLE: California Leads Nation in Rent Costs CONTENT: Rent is Higher in States with Higher Incomes\n--------------------------------------------\nThe average estimated income in the U.S. was $79,834 in the second quarter (Q2) of 2019, according to Experian data. In the five states with the highest median rent, incomes were significantly above the national average.\nIn California, the state with the highest median rent, the average estimated income in Q2 2019 was $85,750. In Washington, D.C., which had the next-highest median rents, the estimated income was even higher at $94,951. Meanwhile, West Virginia, the state with the lowest median rent, had an average income of $59,999, nearly $20,000 below the national average.\nCities and states with high costs of living typically are areas with substantial job opportunities and developed industry. When looking at the states with top rental rates, all are home to several major cities that are hubs for technology, medicine and other top industries. The one exception to this is Hawaii, which has seen home values and general cost of living soar over time as it has to import much of its consumer goods. END