10 Most Expensive Metro Areas to Live as a Low-Wage Worker

Where many people can't afford rent in America.

1. San Francisco, California - Where in America can a low-wage worker afford to pay rent for a one- or two-bedroom apartment? The answer is nowhere, according to a recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Take a look at the 10 most expensive metropolitan areas in America for housing. — Natelege Whaley (@natelege) In San Francisco, a household has to make $37.62 an hour to afford a two-bedroom. The minimum wage in California is currently $8.   (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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1. San Francisco, California - Where in America can a low-wage worker afford to pay rent for a one- or two-bedroom apartment? The answer is nowhere, according to a recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Take a look at the 10 most expensive metropolitan areas in America for housing. — Natelege Whaley (@natelege) In San Francisco, a household has to make $37.62 an hour to afford a two-bedroom. The minimum wage in California is currently $8.   (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2. Honolulu, Hawaii - In Honolulu, a household has to make $35.00 an hour to afford a two-bedroom. The minimum wage is $7.25 in Hawaii. (Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

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2. Honolulu, Hawaii - In Honolulu, a household has to make $35.00 an hour to afford a two-bedroom. The minimum wage is $7.25 in Hawaii. (Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

3. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California - Low-wage residents in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California, metropolitan area would have to make $31.71 an hour to afford a two-bedroom.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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3. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California - Low-wage residents in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California, metropolitan area would have to make $31.71 an hour to afford a two-bedroom.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

4. Orange County, California - Low-wage workers in Orange County, California, must bring in $31.62 an hour to afford a two-bedroom in the area. (Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

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4. Orange County, California - Low-wage workers in Orange County, California, must bring in $31.62 an hour to afford a two-bedroom in the area. (Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

Long Island - Tatyana's family would leave Brooklyn and move to Bellmore, Long Island, where she would attend elementary and junior high school. (Photo: Glen Argov /Landov)

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5. Nassau-Suffolk, New York - Low-wage workers in Nassau-Suffolk, New York, must make $31.02 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment. The minimum wage in New York is $7.25 an hour. (Photo: Glen Argov /Landov)

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6. Santa Cruz-Fremont, California - In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California, area, workers must make $30.71 an hour to afford a two-bedroom. (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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6. Santa Cruz-Fremont, California - In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California, area, workers must make $30.71 an hour to afford a two-bedroom. (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

7. Oakland-Fremont, California - Workers in the Oakland-Fremont, California, metropolitan area must earn at least $30.35 an hour to afford a two-bedroom.  (Photo: NASA HANDOUT/LANDOV)

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7. Oakland-Fremont, California - Workers in the Oakland-Fremont, California, metropolitan area must earn at least $30.35 an hour to afford a two-bedroom.  (Photo: NASA HANDOUT/LANDOV)

8. Danbury, Connecticut - In Danbury, Connecticut, workers must earn at least $30.31 an hour to afford to live in a two-bedroom apartment. The minimum wage in Connecticut is $8.25. (Photo: Bob Falcetti/Getty Images)

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8. Danbury, Connecticut - In Danbury, Connecticut, workers must earn at least $30.31 an hour to afford to live in a two-bedroom apartment. The minimum wage in Connecticut is $8.25. (Photo: Bob Falcetti/Getty Images)

9. Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut - Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut, workers must earn $29.83 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment there. (Photo: Diana Lee Angstadt Photography/Getty Images)

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9. Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut - Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut, workers must earn $29.83 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment there. (Photo: Diana Lee Angstadt Photography/Getty Images)

10. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California - In the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California, metropolitan area, workers must make $28.44 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment. (Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

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10. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California - In the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California, metropolitan area, workers must make $28.44 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment. (Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)