The average rent in the United States is $1,958, according to NerdWallet, but did you know you could completely cover this cost by investing in a real estate investment trust (REIT) that pays dividends? It takes a lot of capital to do so, but if you can swing it, you can essentially live rent-free. How it works Let's say you find a single-family home that costs the national average of $1,958 per month. Based on that monthly rate, you will need annual dividend income of $23,496 to cover your rent