RentCafe’s annual Best Cities for Renters report analyzes 20 key metrics across 150 U.S. cities — from cost of living and job growth to walkability and community engagement — giving renters a data-backed resource for deciding where to move next.

Scottsdale climbed eight positions to reach #7 nationally and overtake Gilbert which now sits at #13, while Phoenix proper is at #71 — making the metro one of the most compelling examples of how a single market can deliver wildly different renter experiences within a short drive of each other.

Although Phoenix ranks considerably lower, it’s worth noting that its overall ranking improved significantly landing in the top half this year, due to changes in the local economy category.

Here’s what each city in the Valley has to offer renters:

Scottsdale #7 — Quality of Life leader

Scottsdale’s calling card is lifestyle, ranking #5 nationally for Quality of Life.

  • Nearly 84% of its apartments sit in top-rated locations, and school quality got a maximum score of 7 — only 3 locations nationwide managed this.

Its Local Economy rank of #9 reflects strong income potential.

  • Renter income grew 29.2% over five years, yet it’s the lowest out of the three. In this category, Scottsdale leads in share of residents with a university degree, reaching almost 50%. 

The trade-off is cost, pulling its Housing & Cost of Living rank to #71.

  • Living in Scottsdale runs about 15% above the national average, higher than in Gilbert or Phoenix. 

 
Gilbert #13 — The balanced option

Gilbert ranks in the top 30 in every category, Housing and Cost of Living at #24

  • The cost of living is 12.9% above the national average, but when it comes to housing it has the newest apartment stock, with 35.3% of units built in the last five years, and the highest share of high-end apartments at 88%.

Local Economy rank #21, marking a 22-spot climb since last year

  • Its renter income growth is no longer the highest in the Valley, but it is still high at 37.4% over five years. Also, the unemployment rate is lowest here at 3.5%.

Quality of life #29, the middle ground between Scottsdale and Phoenix

  • Here, 40% of apartments are in great locations — half of Scottsdale’s share but double Phoenix’s. GreatSchools.org rated Gilbert’s schools 6.6 out of 7. 

Phoenix #71 — The big-city core with economic energy

Housing and Cost of Living #91 due to a lack of polished urban amenities as its neighbors

  • Here half of the apartments are high-end, while renters get 150 square feet less than in Gilbert, averaging 820 square feet. However, Phoenix is the most affordable of the three at just 5.2% above the national average.

Following a 45-spot jump, Phoenix ranks #46 in Local Economy

  • Phoenix now leads the metro in renter income growth at 41.2% over five years. The metro area has seen an improvement in the job market, with a positive 0.6% job growth compared to -0.3% a year ago. And the 216 business applications per 10,000 residents shared across all three cities reflects the broader metro’s dynamism. 

Phoenix ranks lowest in quality of life at #123

  • The trade-off for renters looking into Phoenix is population density, which impacts more people into long commutes (36%). School quality scored lowest in the Valley, 5 out of 7.

 
Full data across all 20 metrics is available in our full report.