BestPlaces.net has released its list of most rent-burdened zip codes for 2021. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, renters paying over 30% of their income on housing are cost-burdened, while renters paying over 50% of their income on housing are extremely cost-burdened.

• #1 – Zip Code 78705 – Austin, Texas
• #2 – Zip Code 07734 – Keansburg, New Jersey
• #3 – Zip Code 60464 – Palos Park, Illinois
• #4 – Zip Code 93405 – San Luis Obispo, CA
• #5 – Zip Code 20607 – Accokeek, Maryland
• #6 – Zip Code 79401 – Lubbock, Texas
• #7 – Zip Code 06268 – Storrs, Connecticut
• #8 – Zip Code 86011 – Flagstaff, Arizona
• #9 – Zip Code 92617 – Irvine, California
• #10 – Zip Code 15213 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

At the top of the list is zip code 78705 in Austin, Texas where renters spend 98% of their income on rent. Zip codes in Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, California, and Maryland are also included in the list of most rent-burdened U.S. zip codes.
Zip code 78705 is oriented around The University of Texas at Austin’s Main Campus. Roughly 90% of the population are renting and 77% of residents are between the ages of 15 and 24 years old. Because of its proximity to the state’s largest university of over fifty thousand enrollees, this zip code is a popular location for student housing.
Students, especially those taking classes full time, typically use parental support, loans, or savings to pay rent, instead of income. 60% of the zip codes in the BestPlaces study either neighbor a college campus or are on a college campus.
The full list of 10 zip codes with infographics and analysis is available here.
BestPlaces.net is the leading online resource for place and demographic data, with over 3 million visitors a month. The study was produced in collaboration with data journalist Amye Cutlip.