These Cities Score High for Renter Appeal
Renters looking for cities where they can both work hard and keep fit need look no further than the West
In a country as large as the U.S., it can be a challenge for someone without a strong desire or an urgent need to be in a particular place to settle on a city to live in. RentCafe’s new list of the best cities for renters in 2024 identifies the South as the best region to investigate.
Its list of the top 50 best places for renters includes 38 Southern cities. It is headed by Charleston, SC, Atlanta, GA, Sarasota, FL, McKinney, TX, and Scottsdale, AZ. Round Rock and Austin, TX also scored well, as did three North Carolina cities: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, and Raleigh.
RentCafe judged cities by 20 metrics related to the cost of living and housing, the state of the local economy, and quality of life. Charleston was ranked Number 1 due to its strong local economy, affordability, lower cost of living, and multiple career opportunities thanks to major employers and its thriving tourism industry. Its quality of life including spacious apartments, quality schools, abundant green space, and active social life also contributed.
For Atlanta, its “career-focused mindset with numerous entrepreneurship opportunities” was a big factor. With major employers headquartered in the metro, it also offers a lower cost of living than the national average, large apartments – “more than half of which are high-end” – and opportunities for social involvement, according to the report.
Coastal Sarasota was cited as “the perfect spot for renters looking for a city that strikes the perfect work/life balance.” McKinney’s low cost of living and housing, quality of life, and small-town feel helped it to fourth position – “the ideal choice for renters who want to escape the bustle of the city without compromising on urban comfort.”
As for the rest of the country, “Renters looking for cities where they can both work hard and keep fit need look no further than the West,” RentCafe reported. Two cities in Arizona ranked in the top 10. Scottsdale and Gilbert led the West. Others with high rankings included Boise, ID, Denver, CO, and Salt Lake City, UT. “Tech-driven Seattle strikes a balance a healthy local economy and quality of life.” Strangely, no cities in California made the cut.
Tough competition for apartment space in the Northeast presents a challenge for would-be renters – even though it has a higher cost of living and housing than other regions. Stamford, CT and Boston, MA stood out due to their high quality of life, large percentages of apartments in prime locations, and “the advantage of picturesque surroundings.”
Cities in the Midwest took 27 spots among the top 50. The region was cited for a “great balance between affordability, local economy, and quality of life.” Leading in this category were Rochester, MN and Sioux Falls, SD.