Charleston and Atlanta Lead the Pack For Best Cities For Renters In 2024

Renters planning to move in 2024 can skip the spreadsheets. RentCafe has done the heavy lifting for them by analyzing 20 key metrics across 150 U.S. cities, grouped into 3 categories: cost of living and housing; local economy; and quality of life, to help renters easily find their ideal city.

Here are the top picks for renters in the U.S. for 2024 and the metrics that pushed them to the top:

• Charleston remains the top city for renters for two years straight, fueled by a strong local economy (#2 with 4.1% job growth) and high marks in cost of living and housing (ranked #7 thanks to low rental competitivity and a 4.1-star rating on RentCafe.com) 
• Atlanta claims the 2nd spot for its high scores in the local economy (ranked #4, bustling with business opportunities) and cost of living and housing (ranked #9, with a striking 69% of its apartments being high-quality and a low occupancy rate at 91.3%).
• Sarasota secures 3rd place, ranking #5 for cost of living and housing, thanks to a 38% growth in apartment stock and 69% high-end units. It also ranked #6 for local economy, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.9%.
• Regionwide, the South claims 38 of the top 50 best places for renters to live in 2024, mainly for its lower-than-average cost of living, spacious apartments, and robust job growth. The West follows closely, bolstered by strong local economies and pleasant weather.
• Big cities are not to be overlooked: Austin (#7); Miami (#10); Charlotte (#11); Raleigh (#12); Washington, DC (#48); and Seattle (#51) all have something to offer – from steady income growth to natural amenities and high-quality schools.