The ratio of income is important in another way. Many apartments (in the Los Angeles area at least) want or require tenants to only spend X% of their gross inco

The ratio of income is important in another way. Many apartments (in the Los Angeles area at least) want or require tenants to only spend X% of their gross income on rent. Places with $750k/year rent probably don't care, but for the median working American it matters a lot.