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Best and Worst Cities for Renters in 2026
Which are the best and worst cities in the United States for renters?
To determine which cities are the best and worst places to rent, we analyzed various affordability and apartment amenity data. Creating a ranking system, we gave cities with the cheapest rent and higher apartment quality higher scores than cities that are less favorable.
The study used data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development about cost-burdened renters, who pay more than 30% of their income for housing. The analysis included an annual rent-to-purchase-rice ratio, comparing the median home value to the median annual rent — higher ratios indicate that renting is better than buying a home.
In total, we got the list down to cities, which had data for each category. The full methodology can be found at the end of the study. It includes details about how scores were calculated.
Best and worst cities to rent at a glance
- Cheapest rent in America: Renters in Wichita, KS, pay an average of $830 or an apartment.
- Most expensive rent in America: Renters in New York, NY pay an average of $830 for an apartment.
- Highest cost burden: Renters in Tamarac city have the highest number of households — 82% — paying 47% of their income for housing.
- Lowest cost burden: Renters in Troy city, have the lowest number of households — 27% — paying 47% of their income for housing.
- Hikes in rent: Analysis shows that San Francisco, CA, had the greatest average rent hikes year-on-year, with a 21% increase.
- Drops in rent: Analysis shows that New Haven, CT, had the greatest change in average rent from the previous year — a drop of -18%.
Top 5 cities that are best for renters
The following five cities had the highest scores for renters based on the factors listed. It’s not surprising that none are among the country’s largest cities.
1. Raleigh, NC – Score 74.8
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 45%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 95%
- Apartment size: 944 sq ft
- Average rent: $944
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 27%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: -3%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 53%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 22:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 95
- Regional price parity of services: 96
- Overall score: 74.8
2. Colorado Springs, CO – Score 74
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 34%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 99%
- Apartment size: 948 sq ft
- Average rent: $948
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 28%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: -3%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 55%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 22:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 96
- Regional price parity of services: 94
- Overall score: 74
3. Omaha, NE – Score 70.3
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 33%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 99%
- Apartment size: 843 sq ft
- Average rent: $843
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 30%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: -8%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 51%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 18:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 95
- Regional price parity of services: 97
- Overall score: 70.3
4. Reno, NV – Score 70.2
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 21%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 99%
- Apartment size: 955 sq ft
- Average rent: $955
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 28%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: 2%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 50%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 25:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 96
- Regional price parity of services: 95
- Overall score: 70.2
5. Kansas City, MO – Score 69.7
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 31%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 100%
- Apartment size: 888 sq ft
- Average rent: $888
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 27%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: -2%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 54%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 18:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 95
- Regional price parity of services: 97
- Overall score: 69.7
5 worst cities for renters
The following five cities had the lowest scores … and it’s all the names you’d expect.
51. New York, NY – Score 33.3
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 18%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 88%
- Apartment size: 737 sq ft
- Average rent: $737
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 31%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: -5%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 52%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 18:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 110
- Regional price parity of services: 109
- Overall score: 33.3
50. San Francisco, CA – Score 36.3
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 16%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 87%
- Apartment size: 756 sq ft
- Average rent: $756
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 32%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: 23%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 39%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 30:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 114
- Regional price parity of services: 105
- Overall score: 36.3
49. Boston, MA – Score 41.9
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 27%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 82%
- Apartment size: 772 sq ft
- Average rent: $772
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 31%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: 2%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 53%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 19:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 108
- Regional price parity of services: 104
- Overall score: 41.9
48. Washington, DC – Score 48.9
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 15%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 82%
- Apartment size: 744 sq ft
- Average rent: $744
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 29%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: -7%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 48%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 20:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 107
- Regional price parity of services: 104
- Overall score: 48.9
47. Chicago, IL – Score 51.7
- Percent of available rentals with a washer, dryer and dishwasher: 22%
- Percent of available pet-friendly rentals: 91%
- Apartment size: 801 sq ft
- Average rent: $801
- Percent of household income spent on rent on average: 29%
- Historical rent price changes year over year: 2%
- Share of cost-burdened renter households: 49%
- Annual rent-to-purchase price Ratio: 13:1
- Regional price parity of goods: 105
- Regional price parity of services: 102
- Overall score: 51.7
Tips when buying vs. renting a home
Choosing to buy a home versus renting is a decision that has to be weighed carefully. On the one hand, getting a mortgage to purchase a home can be a wise financial move. But on the other hand, renting can be an excellent way to build wealth depending on your situation and financial goals.
Some upsides of owning a home include:
- Building equity that you can cash out by refinancing your mortgage or selling your property.
- Having price appreciation over time, depending on factors in your local market.
- Cutting taxes by claiming allowable deductions for mortgage interest, points and property taxes — up to certain annual limits.
- Avoiding up to $250,000 — or $500,000 for taxpayers filing jointly — of capital gains tax when selling a home after living in it for a period.
- Paying historically low mortgage interest rates.
When you rent, you don’t qualify for housing-related tax deductions. However, you may not have additional expenses that typically come with homeownership.
The benefits of renting include:
- Not having to pay a sizable down payment or have as much income to buy a home.
- Paying average rent in the US is less per month than buying in some areas of the country, such as large cities.
- Avoiding the expense and hassle of ongoing home maintenance and repairs.
- Being protected from economic downturns, such as a recession or a real estate price bubble that pops.
- Having the flexibility to relocate quickly for your family or work.
Getting a mortgage is a significant financial commitment that must fit your lifestyle and financial goals, such as investing for retirement and paying off debt. Many economic and nonfinancial considerations may factor into your decision to buy or rent a home.
The bottom line is that if buying a home has more advantages, finding an affordable property in a city with cost-effective living expenses is key. However, if renting is more suitable for your lifestyle and budget, choosing a place to rent in one of the best cities on our list might lead to big savings.
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