Navigating the Rental Rush: Here are the 10 most popular US cities for renters

As finding a house in the US is difficult in today’s turbulent housing market, here is a list of the top 10 cities for renters in 2024 which can make the hunt easier for you to pick where to stay cost-efficient and renter-friendly.

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Edited By: Alina Khan
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In today's turbulent housing market, with soaring home prices and rising interest rates, renting has become an attractive option for many. But with so many choices, where do you start your apartment hunt? Look no further! Here is a list of the top 10 cities for renters in the United States in 2024, based on surging online interest and renter-friendly features.

Top 10 cities to rent in US in 2024:

Atlanta

According to an analysis of online rental platform traffic and engagement, Atlanta steals the spotlight as the number one most in-demand city for renters in 2024. With a transformed downtown and flourishing tech scene, Atlanta saw online favoriting of rental listings surge 60% in 2023, showcasing its growing appeal for renters.

Kansas City

Coming in second is Kansas City, MO, which benefitted from an affordable cost of living and abundant job opportunities. Online searches for Kansas City rentals jumped 63% last year displaying a clear interest among prospective residents. The city also saw a doubling of personalized rental searches, reflecting its rising popularity.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati grabbed the third spot, driven by its redeveloped riverfront, employment prospects, and sustainability efforts. Engagement metrics showed a 19% increase in Cincinnati rental page views and a 104% rise in listings, highlighting renters' intent to embrace this Midwest hub.

Arlington

The Washington D.C. suburb of Arlington took fourth place thanks to its location and easy access to the nation's capital. The city ranked number one for rental demand for three months during peak season. Page views went up 52% alongside double the number of units, reflecting Arlington's strong and steady appeal.

Orlando

Sunny Orlando claimed fifth, moving up from seventh overall in 2023. The vibrant Florida city saw an 18% increase in rental page views and 100% more favorited listings. Orlando's entertainment options, business-friendly environment and growing economy make it a coveted spot.

Minneapolis

Sixth place Minneapolis maintained its popularity in 2023 with a 50% jump in listings traffic and 17% fewer available rentals. Some properties rose 58% pointing to high intent among apartment hunters drawn by its urban Midwestern charm.

Denver

Denver came in seventh as the most in-demand rental market out West. The city's thriving technology, energy and finance sectors paired with 300 days of annual sunshine attracted droves of prospective renters. Traffic rose 19%, favorited units increased 117% and personalized searches grew 23%.

Portland

Portland secured the eighth position, balancing quirkiness with renter appeal. It's relaxed pace and renowned culinary scene helped drive a 24% increase in overall traffic and 100% more favorited listings. The data confirms Portland's allure as a unique rental destination.

Albuquerque

The Southwestern city of Albuquerque ranked ninth, led by a 103% surge in rental page views that propelled its overall traffic score. Units favorited by renters jumped 137%, highlighting accelerated interest in this emerging Western rental hotspot.

Overland Park

Rounding out the top ten is Overland Park, Kansas as the Midwestern small city making gains. Listings traffic rose 28% alongside 22% more personalized searches and 200% more favorited rentals. Overland Park's climbing popularity positions it as an up-and-coming rental market.

What do these rankings underscore? 

The report's rankings demonstrate shifting renter priorities and preferences over the past year based on online engagement patterns. While longtime favorites like Denver and Atlanta remain sought-after, emerging locales like Albuquerque are now on the map. Renters display a growing inclination towards affordability, mobility and discovering new communities.