The 7 Most Renter-Friendly Major Cities in the US

Renter Friendliness Score: 56.72

ApartmentAdvisor said the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Nashville was $1,499 a month. Plus, Milman said in the blog post on the results that median “rent prices are still a little high relative to income,” yet it added, “prices are going down in Nashville, bringing some relief to renters.”

Nashville residents can visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Lane Motor Museum, or the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

Renter Friendliness Score: 57.14

The blog post said the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Jacksonville, Florida, was $1,117 a month. It also said the city “came in fourth for its relative number of permits granted for new privately owned housing units per capita” among the places part of the analysis.

“While the South has been seeing some of the most population growth in the country, it has been able to keep up with demand due to ample construction,” the ApartmentAdvisor post said.

People in Jacksonville could hang out on one of the beaches there, visit Riverside Arts Market on Saturdays, and go to the Museum of Science and History.

Renter Friendliness Score: 57.71

The median monthly rent in this city was $1,407. The blog post noted the city’s relatively high desirability among the places part of the analysis and that “it’s a place that’s very walk-, bike-, and transit-accessible with a high density of entertainment options.” The post also noted the state’s rent control among the “many tenant protection laws” present — another potential pro for prospective renters hoping to live in Portland, Oregon.

Portland residents could attend a city tour, go on rides at Oaks Park, or buy tickets to visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Renter Friendliness Score: 59.51

The blog post said Cedar Rapids, Iowa, had a rental vacancy rate of more than 10%, and the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $849 a month. “Compare that with a median income of $52,081, and the estimated rent burden is only 19.6%,” the blog post said.

People in Cedar Rapids can enjoy mountain biking and other kinds of trails, visit the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and watch the Minor League Baseball team — the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Renter Friendliness Score: 64.71

The median one-bedroom monthly rent in this city was $1,941. There are plenty of options for renters looking for a spot in Oakland; the ApartmentAdvisor post called out how the city had a “healthy vacancy rate and a high average number of days on market for apartment listings.”

“In California cities like Oakland, landlords have strict requirements on how much they can raise rent from year to year — making it one of the best cities for renters,” the blog post said.

People in Oakland can enjoy the Oakland Aviation Museum, visit Children’s Fairyland, and attend Oaktoberfest in the Dimond.

Renter Friendliness Score: 64.86

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $863 a month in Huntsville, Alabama, which was relatively low compared to the roughly 100 major cities analyzed. The blog post called out the city’s “high number of new residential construction permits and healthy vacancy rate.”

People in Huntsville could try the Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt, get tickets for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, or buy items at one of the farmer’s markets.

Renter Friendliness Score: 65.72

“The capital of North Carolina came out on top based on its high economic score, as well as a few renter-friendly factors like its amount of new residential construction and healthy vacancy rate,” the blog post said.

The median one-bedroom apartment rent in this city was $1,263 a month. The blog post noted how rapidly Raleigh’s population has grown compared to other US places and that the city ranked No. 2 for permits for new privately owned housing units per capita.

The post noted despite the population growth, “the metro area has done its best to keep up with demand for its housing market.”

Raleigh residents can visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Marbles Kids Museum, or attend an event held at Raleigh Convention Center.