Highest median rent, US cities · 1990
US cities ranked by median gross rent (1990 ACS). 6,058 cities qualify in total. Cities with fewer than 5,000 residents are excluded. California carries 13 of the top 25 entries. 111 cities are tied at the $1,000+ ceiling. The median across all 6,058 is $436.
Flip the list · Lowest median rent, US cities →The US Census Bureau caps reported median gross rent at $1,000 for 1990. Places shown as “$1,000+” exceed that ceiling by an amount the Census does not publish, so their exact values (and the order among them) cannot be distinguished.
UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS
Frequently asked
Which city has the highest median gross rent?
111 cities are tied at $1,000+, the Census Bureau's reporting cap, so no single city can be named #1 (1990 Decennial Census). They include Atherton, California, Saratoga, California, Nolensville, Tennessee, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, Skidaway Island, Georgia.
What are the top 5 cities by median gross rent?
Atherton, California, Saratoga, California, Nolensville, Tennessee, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, Skidaway Island, Georgia.
How many cities are in this ranking?
6,058 cities qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability (minimum 5,000 residents). The ranking covers 1990 Decennial Census data.
How is median gross rent measured?
Median gross rent across all renter-occupied units. Source: US Census Bureau, 1990 Decennial Census.