Yahoo Movies Ranking 20 Major US Cities for Renters, From Worst to Best
One of the biggest benefits of renting is flexibility -- you don't have a home tying you down, which can make it difficult to move. That flexibility combined with the increase in fully remote jobs means renters can move almost anywhere. The problem is that having so many options can lead to a choice paralysis. To make it easier to choose, GOBankingRates put together a list of the top 20 major U.S. cities for renters.
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In order to rank the cities, GOBankingRates started with the 50 most populous cities in America. To pick the top 20, each of those cities was given a score based on average rent, livability and cost of living. Hence, the best city has the best combination of low rent, high livability and a lower overall cost of living.
In this case, the lowest combined score is best. Sources include Zillow for average rent, AreaVibes for livability, and AdvisorSmith for cost of living. 2020 population is according to the U.S. Census.
Many of the cities here are medium-sized cities in the South, with populations less than one million. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, both New York and San Francisco manage to make the top 20 despite their high rents and high overall costs of living.
Here are the top 20 U.S. cities for renters.
20. San Francisco, California
2020 population: 873,965
Average rent 2022: $3,091
Cost of living index: 178.6
Livability index: 67
Combined score: 3.41067
San Francisco is among the most expensive places to live in the country; the average rent is over $3,000 for 2022. Still, its livability score of 67 is just enough to make the list.
19. San Jose, California
2020 population: 1,013,240
Average rent 2022: $3,107
Cost of living index: 173.5
Livability index: 67
Combined score: 3.36722
San Jose is still quite expensive, with average rent upwards of $3,100 per month. But its overall cost of living is slightly lower than San Francisco's, giving it a slight edge.
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18. New York City
2020 population: 8,804,190
Average rent 2022: $2,886
Cost of living index: 128.0
Livability index: 67
Combined score: 2.69722
New York, too, has eye-popping rents; the average is nearly $2,900. However, its overall cost of living is much lower than two California cities, thus putting it ahead of them. Nevertheless, with a score of 128, New York's cost of living is still nearly 30% higher than the national average.
17. San Diego, California
2020 population: 1,386,932
Average rent 2022: $2,796
Cost of living index: 136.2
Livability index: 71
Combined score: 2.40930
San Diego is about as pricey as you'd expect for California. Still, at under $2,800, the average rent there is the lowest on this list so far. And it's only slightly pricier than New York while also being rated more livable.
16. Charlotte, North Carolina
2020 population: 874,579
Average rent 2022: $1,720
Cost of living index: 97.9
Livability index: 66
Combined score: 1.54054
Charlotte is the first city on this list you might call affordable; its cost of living is below the national average. While its livability is a little lower than the cities mentioned earlier, the city is more friendly to renters overall.
15. Las Vegas, Nevada
2020 population: 641,903
Average rent 2022: $1,823
Cost of living index: 100.7
Livability index: 70
Combined score: 1.34338
Those who don't live in Las Vegas might associate it with the strip, but the city is also relatively friendly to renters. That's because its cost of living is about average, and it has a decent livability score of 70. The same can be said for its rents, which are an average of $1,823 in 2022.
14. Jacksonville, Florida
2020 population: 949,611
Average rent 2022: $1,718
Cost of living index: 99.0
Livability index: 69
Combined score: 1.32026
Jacksonville has the lowest rent on this list so far, with an average of $1,718. Its overall cost of living is a little higher than Charlotte's, but it's also slightly more livable.
13. Dallas, Texas
2020 population: 1,304,379
Average rent 2022: $1,701
Cost of living index: 98.5
Livability index: 69
Combined score: 1.30135
At $1,701 on average, rents in Dallas are among the more affordable cities on this list. Its overall cost of living of 98.5 also puts its below the national average.
12. Colorado Springs
2020 population: 478,961
Average rent 2022: $1,728
Cost of living index: 102.2
Livability index: 70
Combined score: 1.28615
When looking at the combined score, the difference between Colorado Spring and Dallas is the narrowest on this list. Colorado Springs is slightly more expensive but benefits from a higher livability score of 70.
11. Houston, Texas
2020 population: 2,304,580
Average rent 2022: $1,520
Cost of living index: 95.8
Livability index: 67
Combined score: 1.28526
The largest city in Texas fares well on this list because the city remains relatively affordable. Its average rent of $1,520 is one of the lowest on this list, and its overall cost of living is below the national average.
10. Austin, Texas
2020 population: 961,855
Average rent 2022: $1,797
Cost of living index: 106.6
Livability index: 72
Combined score: 1.23374
The cost of living in Austin has risen much faster than in other parts of the country, and the city is now pricier than the national average [1]. But it's still more affordable than New York and California, and its 72 livability score is better than New York can claim.
9. Atlanta, Georgia
2020 population: 498,715
Average rent 2022: $1,879
Cost of living index: 100.3
Livability index: 72
Combined score: 1.22858
After periods of low or even negative growth in the 1970s through the 2000s, Atlanta's population exploded between 2010 and 2020 [2]. While that has led to higher costs, the city is still about average - although rent is somewhat high.
8. Tampa, Florida
2020 population: 384,959
Average rent 2022: $2,010
Cost of living index: 101.4
Livability index: 74
Combined score: 1.18785
Tampa's population is less than 400,000 - but you do pay a premium for all the sun and the easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Still, its overall cost of living is only slightly above average, and it has a good livability score of 74.
7. Raleigh, North Carolina
2020 population: 467,665
Average rent 2022: $1,677
Cost of living index: 99.7
Livability index: 74
Combined score: 0.91101
The capital of North Carolina has been growing at an unprecedented pace - it has seen double-digit population growth in every decade going all the way back to 1900 [4] . And yet, costs there are still about average, and the city has the highest livability score on this list so far.
6. Oklahoma City
2020 population: 681,054
Average rent 2022: $1,287
Cost of living index: 87.3
Livability index: 69
Combined score: 0.85763
Oklahoma City is a town of nearly 700,000, yet it remains remarkably affordable. In facts, its cost of living score of 87.3 is the lowest on this list, and the average rent is just $1,287.
5. San Antonio, Texas
2020 population: 1,434,625
Average rent 2022: $1,409
Cost of living index: 92.7
Livability index: 71
Combined score: 0.85754
San Antonio is a city of nearly 1.5 million in the south of Texas. With an average rent of $1,409 and a cost of living score of 92.7, the city is quite affordable. Its 71 livability score isn't bad, either.
4. Columbus, Ohio
2020 population: 905,748
Average rent 2022: $1,381
Cost of living index: 93.9
Livability index: 73
Combined score: 0.69487
Columbus has a lot going for it. Not only is its average rent less than $1,400; the city is also cheaper than the national average. Plus, it has a decent livability score of 73.
3. Omaha, Nebraska
2020 population: 486,051
Average rent 2022: $1,173
Cost of living index: 92.9
Livability index: 72
Combined score: 0.59980
If you're looking for a place where renting is affordable, Omaha should be top of the list: the average rent is just $1,173 in the city. Plus, its overall cost of living score is a competitive 92.9.
2. El Paso, Texas
2020 population: 678,815
Average rent 2022: $1,354
Cost of living index: 88.6
Livability index: 74
Combined score: 0.53921
Unlike the mega-cities of Texas, El Paso has a population of under 700,000. Perhaps that helps explain its average rent, which is an affordable $1,354, and its overall cost of living of 88.6.
1. Virginia Beach
2020 population: 459,470
Average rent 2022: $1,564
Cost of living index: 99.0
Livability index: 79
Combined score: 0.43135
Virginia Beach tops the list of the best cities for renters. While it isn't quite the cheapest city on the list, it easily has the best livability score. Overall, its cost of living is about average too.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Ranking 20 Major US Cities for Renters, From Worst to Best
