For our 2024 Best Cities for Renters report, we thoroughly examined 20 key factors such as economic strength, apartment quality, traffic, air quality, and natural amenities. Scottsdale and Gilbert came out on top, while Phoenix didn’t even make the top 50. However, Phoenix has a few aces up its sleeve: the local economy is thriving, and the cost of living is among the lowest in the West. 

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Let’s dive into the key differences between cities in all three main categories: 

Housing and Cost of Living

Phoenix apartments average 810 square feet, while Gilbert and Scottsdale rentals have around 150 square feet more. Plus, almost half (47.1%) of the apartments in Phoenix offer excellent amenities. In Gilbert and Scottsdale, there are 40% more. While space can be a compromise, renters need to think twice about the cost of living. In Phoenix, it’s 2.2% above the average; however, it’s the lowest compared to Scottsdale and Gilbert, where the COL is up to six times higher.

Local Economy

Phoenix leads in renters’ income growth at 41.3%, but the unemployment rate here is above average at 5.2%, while in Gilbert and Scottsdale it is 3.5%. However, the local economy is growing, evidenced by the 2.2% job growth across all cities. 

Quality of Life

Phoenix ranks lowest in this category due to a lower share of apartments in top locations (18%), while in Scottsdale more than three-quarters (84.4%) of apartments offer access to local services. Phoenix’s advantage compared to the other cities is the higher use of public transport or walking to get around, but Scottsdale and Gilbert score maximum points for school quality, which helped them rank higher. 

After factoring in all the metrics, Phoenix secured the 72nd spot among best cities for renters, while Scottsdale came out as the nation’s 5th best city for renters, followed closely by Gilbert at #9. 

The best cities for renters

Here are the top picks for best cities 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 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 the 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-averagecost of living, spacious apartments and robust job growth. The West follows closely, bolstered by strong local economies andpleasant weather. 
     
  • Big cities are not to be overlooked: Austin (#7); Miami (#10); Charlotte (#11); Raleigh (#12); Washington, DC (#48); andSeattle (#51) all have something to offer – from steady income growth to natural amenities and high-quality schools.