Ranking 20 Major US Cities for Renters, From Worst to Best
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 YearsHelping You Live Richer
Reviewed by Experts
Trusted by Millions of Readers
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.
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.
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.
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.
More From GOBankingRates
Share this article:
Related Content
10 Countries To Live Outside the US That Are So Cheap You Could Quit Your Job
April 25, 2024
7 min Read
Artificial Intelligence Based Credit Scoring: How AI Could Set Your Credit Score
April 25, 2024
7 min Read
Low Income, High Spending: See Why Poor Millennials Splurge More Than Rich Boomers
April 25, 2024
7 min Read
I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: These Are 7 Major Mistakes I Made And Learned From
April 24, 2024
7 min Read
How to Boost Your Income from the Median Household Income to the Top 5% in Your State
April 25, 2024
7 min Read
Golf Clubs, Superyachts and All the Super-Expensive Toys of the Rich and Famous
April 25, 2024
7 min Read
Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter!
Get advice on achieving your financial goals and stay up to date on the day's top financial stories.
Thank you for signing up!
Sending you timely financial stories that you can bank on.
Sign up for our daily newsletter for the latest financial news and trending topics.
For our full Privacy Policy, click here.