What states favor tenants?

Asked by: Kiarra Predovic  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (44 votes)

States known for favoring tenants include California, New York, Oregon, New Jersey, Washington, and Massachusetts, due to strong tenant protections like rent control, "just cause" eviction laws, limits on fees, and strict security deposit rules, though specific laws vary, making some areas more tenant-centric than others. These states often focus on housing stability but can create complex challenges for landlords.

What states favor tenants over landlords?

  • Massachusetts ranks #1 for renters due to strict landlord laws, good eviction notice periods, and strong healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
  • Connecticut and Rhode Island are also some of the most tenant-friendly states, with low eviction rates, affordable deposits, and high quality of life.

What states don't look at evictions?

Top 10 Most Landlord-Friendly States in 2025

  • North Carolina. In North Carolina, landlords enjoy considerable freedom. ...
  • Texas. Texas is one of the best states for landlords. ...
  • Florida. In Florida, landlords can evict tenants with just a 3-day notice for missed rent. ...
  • Alabama. ...
  • Montana. ...
  • Ohio. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • Arizona.

What is the easiest state to rent in?

For the second year in a row, North Dakota ranks as the best state for renters. Its affordability and high rental availability help make it an ideal place for lessees. Six of the 10 best states for renters are located in the Midwest. The South is the only region not represented among the top 10 states.

Is Texas a landlord or tenant friendly state?

Despite high property taxes, Texas' laws favor a landlord's rights when it comes to security deposits and eviction notices, making it a landlord-friendly state. In addition, Texas does not have a state-wide requirement for landlords to obtain a license. However, local jurisdictions may vary.

Landlords are going into default. Mortgage delinquencies hit 2008 levels.

30 related questions found

Is Florida a landlord or tenant friendly state?

States like Texas, Florida, and Arizona are often cited as landlord-friendly because they prioritize property owners' rights, streamline eviction procedures, and minimize tenant-protection statutes that can delay action or increase costs.

Is it easy to evict tenants in Texas?

Timelines. The landlord must give the tenant at least 3 days' written notice to vacate unless the lease says otherwise. The lease may set out a longer or shorter time period. Timelines are different if the building is purchased in a foreclosure sale and the tenant is in good standing.

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the #1 cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to the lowest housing costs in the nation, along with low transportation expenses, making overall living costs significantly below the national average. Other states frequently cited as highly affordable include West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Alabama, all offering very low housing prices and budget-friendly living. 

Can I afford $1200 a month rent?

You can likely afford $1200/month rent if your gross monthly income is around $4,000, following the common 30% rule, but it depends heavily on your other debts, savings goals, and location; for a more comfortable budget, use the 50/30/20 rule or ensure you have significant savings for emergencies. 

What state is the cheapest rent?

West Virginia consistently ranks as the state with the cheapest rent in the U.S., followed closely by states like Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, with median rents often well below the national average. These states offer significant housing cost advantages, with some cities like Oklahoma City and Fort Wayne, Indiana also being exceptionally affordable for renters. 

Which states protect squatters?

The below states have a squatters law that requires the individual to have lived on the property in question for 20 years or more:

  • Delaware.
  • Georgia.
  • Hawaii.
  • Idaho.
  • Illinois.
  • Louisiana (30 years)
  • Maine.
  • Maryland.

What state has the highest eviction rate?

South Carolina experienced the highest eviction rate of any state between 2014 and 2016, at a rate of 6.2 percent and with an average of 26,430 evictions per year. 22 Twenty of South Carolina's 46 counties see rates of evictions greater than 5 percent, about twice the national average.

Can I find a place to live with an eviction?

Find a landlord that does not do background checks.

If you do not use an apartment locator, then you can search on your own for owners that are willing to overlook past evictions. These landlords might require proof of income or employment, or a large deposit in exchange for ignoring a previous eviction.

How many rental properties to make $5000 a month?

To make $5,000 a month from rentals, you generally need around 3 to 10 properties, but it heavily depends on your cash flow per unit, with some investors aiming for 5 cash-flowing properties with $1,000/month each (often requiring properties to be paid off or have strong returns), while others might need more units (like 10-20) generating less ($250-$500). Key factors are your market, property type (single-family vs. multi-family), financing, expenses (mortgage, taxes, maintenance), and cash flow per property, often estimated using rules like the 1% and 50% rules. 

What state has the longest eviction process?

States with the Longest Eviction Times

  • New York. Eviction Process: Often 3-6 months, or longer if contested. ...
  • California. Eviction Process: Typically 3-4 months. ...
  • Massachusetts. Eviction Process: 2-6 months. ...
  • New Jersey. Eviction Process: 3-6 months. ...
  • Washington, D.C. Eviction Process: 3-6 months or more.

What states are most rent burdened?

Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana have the highest shares of rent-burdened renters while North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska have the lowest.

How much rent can I afford if I make $500 a week?

Spending around 30% of your income on rent is the golden rule when you're trying to figure out how much you can afford to pay. Spending 30% of your income on rent can help you reach a healthy balance between comfort and affordability. On a median income, 30% should get you an apartment you can truly call home.

How is Gen Z affording rent?

The report, based upon a survey of 2,000 renters, found that 72% of Gen Z renters view renting as a smarter choice and better financial approach than homeownership. With that in mind, rental housing operators would be wise to cater efforts toward this subset, which largely views renting as more than a temporary option.

Can I afford a 300K house on a $70K salary?

You might be able to afford a $300k house on a $70k salary, but it will likely be tight and depends heavily on your low debt, good credit, a significant down payment (5-20%), current mortgage rates (around 6-7%), and manageable property taxes/insurance; lenders look for your total housing costs (PITI) to be under 28-36% of your gross income ($1,750-$2,100/month), so a low-debt borrower with a good down payment might qualify, but others may find homes in the $210k-$280k range more comfortable. 

What is the happiest state to live in?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America for the second year in a row. Hawaii landed the top spot on WalletHub's list with an overall score of 65.50. It ranked third for emotional and physical well-being, 16th for work environment and 13th for community and environment.

Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often blend very low housing costs with decent quality of life, with top contenders frequently including Brownsville, TX; Wichita Falls, TX; Evansville, IN; and cities in states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi. These areas offer significantly lower living expenses, particularly for housing, while providing cultural attractions, job markets, and access to nature, with locations like Oklahoma City, Omaha, and Kansas City also frequently appearing due to their affordability and amenities. 

What state has the worst cost of living?

5 states with the highest cost of living

  • New Jersey: 108.9. ...
  • Hawaii: 108.6. ...
  • Washington: 108.6. ...
  • Arkansas: 86.5. ...
  • Mississippi: 87.3. ...
  • South Dakota: 88.1. ...
  • Oklahoma: 88.3. ...
  • Louisiana: 88.3. Louisiana has one of the lowest costs of living at 11.7% below the national average.

How long can a tenant stay without paying rent in Texas?

In Texas, there's no state-mandated grace period for rent payment itself, but Texas Property Code §92.019 requires landlords to provide a 2-day grace period before they can charge a late fee, meaning rent due on the 1st can't have a late fee until the 4th, provided the lease specifies this. This 2-day window (the 2nd and 3rd) must be clearly stated in the written lease, and if the lease offers a longer grace period, the landlord must honor that. 

How quickly can a tenant be evicted?

A landlord can evict a tenant quickly, often within weeks, but the exact speed depends on the reason for eviction, state laws, and tenant response, starting with a written notice (e.g., 3-day for nonpayment, longer for lease violations) that gives the tenant time to comply, followed by a court filing if they don't, which can take several weeks for a hearing and judgment, leading to an order for the sheriff to remove the tenant. 

Can I kick someone out of my house in Texas?

An at-will tenant must be given at least 3 days' notice to vacate, according to Texas Property Code Section 94.005(b). If the tenant does not move out in the time specified in the notice to vacate, the next step is to file an eviction suit in justice court.