Just looked into some housing data and honestly the rental situation is wild. The gap between what people actually earn and what landlords are asking for a 2-bedroom apartment is getting ridiculous in so many states.

So basically from 2001 to 2021, median rents jumped almost 18% but household income only went up like 3%. That's the whole problem right there. The National Low Income Housing Coalition did a study showing that only 13 states even have 2-bedroom rentals that are remotely affordable for people making under 19 an hour.

Let me break down what I found looking at different regions. In cheaper states like Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, the average rent for a 2-bedroom hovers around 850-950 bucks. But even there, you need to be making like 17-18 an hour just to not be house-poor. Meanwhile in places like California, Hawaii, and New York? We're talking 2100-2200 a month for an average 2-bedroom apartment. You'd need to make like 40+ an hour. Insane.

Then there's the coastal states crushing it. Washington state is asking nearly 1900 for a 2-bedroom. Massachusetts around 2165. New Jersey over 1700. And the average renter wage in these places still doesn't match up with what the typical 2-bedroom rental costs.

The wild part is some states are closer to balance. Like North Dakota and Tennessee where rents are lower and wages are closer to what's needed. But overall it's pretty clear the affordability crisis is real. Wages just aren't keeping up with housing costs anywhere.