Best & Worst Places to Rent in America in 2026

Jul 7, 2026

Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial Writer

Jul 7, 2026WalletHub Financial Writer

Best Places to Rent in America

Embed on your website

Roughly 46 million American households have opted to rent rather than buy their homes because of convenience, cost or availability. But renting isn’t always a cheaper or better alternative to owning a property.

The right road to take depends on a variety of factors, including an individual’s or family’s financial means and how well the local real-estate market is doing. Like home prices, rental rates can vary significantly by region, state or city. In some cases, renting will prove to be more cost-effective and a better overall value than owning.

To determine where renters can get the most bang for their buck, WalletHub compared more than 180 rental markets based on 21 key measures of rental attractiveness and quality of life. Our data set ranges from the difference between rental rates and mortgage payments to rental affordability, the cost of living and job availability.

“In the best cities for renters, rent can cost you as little as around 15% of your income. You’ll also have access to robust laws that protect renters, such as limiting deposits to only a month or two of rent. Our study also considers quality-of-life factors such as a city’s traffic congestion, job market or recreation options to make sure you can get a good living experience, not just inexpensive housing.”

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

Table of Contents

Main Findings

Embed on your website

Best Places to Rent

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Rental Market & Affordability Rank	Quality of Life Rank
1	Scottsdale, AZ	69.05	24	1
2	Gilbert, AZ	67.63	6	9
3	Chandler, AZ	67.20	11	5
4	Overland Park, KS	66.94	9	4
5	Columbia, MD	65.80	2	39
6	Peoria, AZ	65.25	22	2
7	Bismarck, ND	63.60	3	55
8	Huntsville, AL	63.10	4	38
9	Sioux Falls, SD	62.33	1	108
10	Amarillo, TX	60.18	20	34
11	Nashua, NH	59.81	37	14
12	Plano, TX	59.78	78	7
13	Austin, TX	59.28	33	26
14	Lincoln, NE	59.08	15	56
15	Casper, WY	58.84	16	62
16	Mesa, AZ	58.62	49	21
17	Glendale, AZ	58.48	54	20
18	South Burlington, VT	58.38	13	71
19	Phoenix, AZ	58.28	39	27
20	Irvine, CA	57.37	139	3
21	Charleston, SC	57.32	59	18
22	Cheyenne, WY	56.96	18	79
23	Manchester, NH	56.86	44	31
24	El Paso, TX	56.86	76	19
25	Tempe, AZ	56.58	53	29
26	Fremont, CA	56.45	81	23
27	Henderson, NV	56.19	47	42
27	Fargo, ND	56.19	5	126
29	Tampa, FL	55.90	134	8
30	Charleston, WV	55.80	17	97
31	Mobile, AL	55.79	26	85
32	Warwick, RI	55.50	38	52
33	Wichita, KS	55.41	12	104
34	Grand Prairie, TX	55.39	119	10
35	Denver, CO	54.91	10	110
36	Rapid City, SD	54.81	8	138
37	Laredo, TX	54.61	41	65
38	Colorado Springs, CO	54.01	23	103
39	Portland, ME	54.01	100	24
40	Cedar Rapids, IA	53.96	14	133
41	Juneau, AK	53.77	21	121
42	San Francisco, CA	53.75	86	40
43	Montgomery, AL	53.65	27	100
44	Tucson, AZ	53.64	82	44
45	Fort Smith, AR	53.49	7	153
46	Atlanta, GA	53.40	63	64
47	Orlando, FL	53.39	129	17
48	Brownsville, TX	53.38	62	63
49	Arlington, TX	53.36	92	41
50	Fort Worth, TX	53.26	85	46
51	Boise, ID	53.09	113	32
52	Lewiston, ME	53.00	125	16
53	Omaha, NE	52.90	40	88
54	Chesapeake, VA	52.89	46	86
55	Raleigh, NC	52.83	25	112
56	Aurora, IL	52.79	61	72
57	West Valley City, UT	52.56	66	70
58	San Diego, CA	52.46	146	15
59	Pittsburgh, PA	52.18	83	61
60	Las Vegas, NV	52.07	90	60
61	Sacramento, CA	52.03	132	28
62	Fontana, CA	51.85	109	37
63	Corpus Christi, TX	51.84	55	93
64	San Antonio, TX	51.66	70	83
65	Virginia Beach, VA	51.27	79	77
66	Irving, TX	50.88	97	66
67	Huntington Beach, CA	50.81	156	11
68	North Las Vegas, NV	50.65	65	95
69	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	50.35	155	13
70	Richmond, VA	50.35	75	94
71	Dallas, TX	50.16	108	69
72	Newport News, VA	50.12	60	107
73	Chicago, IL	50.08	30	131
74	Columbia, SC	49.82	71	102
75	Wilmington, DE	49.74	89	91
76	Jacksonville, FL	49.64	102	78
77	San Jose, CA	49.52	135	50
78	Tulsa, OK	49.47	94	92
79	Garland, TX	49.30	152	30
80	Reno, NV	49.24	84	98
81	Lubbock, TX	49.24	107	81
82	Bakersfield, CA	49.02	115	75
83	Oklahoma City, OK	48.91	64	114
84	Seattle, WA	48.84	45	127
85	St. Louis, MO	48.59	28	148
86	Aurora, CO	48.56	35	140
87	Kansas City, MO	48.54	32	142
88	Durham, NC	48.47	29	149
89	Louisville, KY	48.42	34	144
90	Portland, OR	48.31	42	137
91	Little Rock, AR	48.27	19	176
92	Honolulu, HI	48.25	159	33
93	Nampa, ID	48.20	117	84
94	Albuquerque, NM	48.12	56	134
95	Lexington-Fayette, KY	47.99	69	119
96	Garden Grove, CA	47.87	177	12
97	Santa Clarita, CA	47.84	163	22
98	Fort Wayne, IN	47.72	74	118
99	St. Petersburg, FL	47.53	148	49
100	Madison, WI	47.39	112	99
101	Washington, DC	47.39	68	129
102	Providence, RI	47.34	88	116
103	St. Paul, MN	47.14	77	123
104	Winston-Salem, NC	47.11	50	143
105	Des Moines, IA	47.05	58	147
106	New York, NY	47.02	121	96
107	Chula Vista, CA	47.02	151	59
108	Riverside, CA	47.02	145	68
109	Las Cruces, NM	46.76	36	166
110	Norfolk, VA	46.69	93	117
111	Fayetteville, NC	46.44	57	155
112	Billings, MT	46.43	51	158
113	Charlotte, NC	46.33	52	150
114	Minneapolis, MN	46.33	48	154
115	Tallahassee, FL	46.24	122	101
116	Rochester, NY	46.22	111	109
117	Ontario, CA	46.18	162	36
118	Salt Lake City, UT	45.97	87	139
119	Modesto, CA	45.92	142	89
120	Jersey City, NJ	45.78	67	145
121	Miami, FL	45.68	161	53
122	Pembroke Pines, FL	45.67	182	6
123	Grand Rapids, MI	45.25	106	132
124	Worcester, MA	45.10	130	105
125	Birmingham, AL	45.09	101	130
126	Yonkers, NY	45.08	158	54
127	Long Beach, CA	45.06	166	58
128	Fresno, CA	45.05	133	106
129	Greensboro, NC	45.00	72	151
130	Los Angeles, CA	45.00	176	45
131	Burlington, VT	44.97	110	128
132	Cincinnati, OH	44.97	126	111
133	Anchorage, AK	44.77	31	173
134	Stockton, CA	44.73	103	135
135	Anaheim, CA	44.71	173	57
136	Moreno Valley, CA	44.68	167	48
137	Columbus, OH	44.68	116	122
138	New Haven, CT	44.65	150	82
139	Chattanooga, TN	44.59	118	125
140	Santa Rosa, CA	44.39	169	47
141	Port St. Lucie, FL	44.37	168	51
142	Oceanside, CA	44.26	172	43
143	Gulfport, MS	44.08	137	115
144	Houston, TX	44.01	127	120
145	Glendale, CA	43.93	179	25
146	Cape Coral, FL	43.92	178	35
147	Oxnard, CA	43.90	153	90
148	San Bernardino, CA	43.84	157	87
149	Indianapolis, IN	43.67	80	157
150	Baltimore, MD	43.46	43	175
151	Santa Ana, CA	43.45	171	73
152	Spokane, WA	43.31	91	160
153	Springfield, MO	43.24	73	171
154	Bridgeport, CT	43.23	164	74
155	Salem, OR	42.89	131	136
156	Columbus, GA	42.86	124	141
157	Buffalo, NY	42.82	98	156
158	Boston, MA	42.78	141	124
159	Knoxville, TN	42.61	147	113
160	Vancouver, WA	42.20	104	161
161	Pearl City, HI	42.03	165	67
162	Fort Lauderdale, FL	41.63	175	80
163	Dover, DE	41.60	99	170
164	Milwaukee, WI	41.54	105	159
165	Nashville, TN	41.33	96	165
166	Baton Rouge, LA	40.89	95	168
167	Hialeah, FL	40.00	180	76
168	Missoula, MT	39.96	144	152
169	Oakland, CA	38.74	120	174
170	Toledo, OH	38.66	138	163
171	Philadelphia, PA	38.59	140	164
172	Tacoma, WA	38.21	128	177
173	Shreveport, LA	38.08	123	179
174	Huntington, WV	38.02	143	172
175	Augusta, GA	38.00	136	180
176	New Orleans, LA	36.51	154	162
177	Newark, NJ	36.08	149	169
178	Akron, OH	34.38	170	167
179	Memphis, TN	32.97	114	182
180	Jackson, MS	32.79	181	146
181	Cleveland, OH	32.02	174	178
182	Detroit, MI	29.95	160	181

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Affordable Rentals

Most

Most
1. Bismarck, ND
2. Sioux Falls, SD
3. Cedar Rapids, IA
4. Charleston, WV
5. Fargo, ND

Least

Least
T-177. Newark, NJ
T-177. Detroit, MI
T-177. Miami, FL
T-177. Jackson, MS
T-177. Hialeah, FL

Rental Vacancy Rate

Highest

Highest
1. Charleston, WV
2. Amarillo, TX
3. Baton Rouge, LA
4. Augusta, GA
5. Peoria, AZ

Lowest

Lowest
178. Fontana, CA
T-179. Hialeah, FL
T-179. Lewiston, ME
181. Nashua, NH
182. South Burlington, VT

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Lowest

Lowest
1. San Francisco, CA
2. Glendale, CA
3. Fremont, CA
4. Los Angeles, CA
5. Oakland, CA

Highest

Highest
177. Akron, OH
178. Toledo, OH
T-179. Cleveland, OH
T-179. Jackson, MS
T-179. Detroit, MI

Cost of Living

Lowest

Lowest
1. Brownsville, TX
2. Oklahoma City, OK
3. Amarillo, TX
T-4. Des Moines, IA
T-4. Tulsa, OK

Highest

Highest
T-166. Santa Rosa, CA
T-166. Honolulu, HI
T-166. Pearl City, HI
T-166. San Jose, CA
T-166. New York, NY

Safe

Most

Most
1. Port St. Lucie, FL
2. Warwick, RI
3. Gilbert, AZ
4. Cape Coral, FL
5. Irvine, CA

Least

Least
175. Kansas City, MO
176. Little Rock, AR
177. St. Louis, MO
T-178. Memphis, TN
T-178. Oakland, CA

In-Depth Look at the Best Places to Rent

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ, is the best place to rent, in large part due to the quality of life in the city. Scottsdale ranks as the best city for both the availability of jobs and the driving environment (traffic and infrastructure quality). It also has the fourth-best weather and the seventh-best recreation options.

Scottsdale isn’t the cheapest city to rent in, but it’s also far from the most expensive. It has the 57th-best rental affordability out of 182 cities, with most people only spending under 22% of their annual income on rent. The city also has one of the largest average home square footages in the country, at 2,179 square feet.

Finally, Arizona has state-level laws addressing bedbug infestations in rental properties, which further protects renters in Scottsdale.

Gilbert, AZ

Gilbert, AZ, is the second-best place to rent, boasting the 10th-highest average home square footage in the country, at 2,101 square feet. It also has the 37th-best rental affordability, with the average person only spending around 21% of their annual income on rent. In addition, only around 19% of households pay more than 50% of their income for housing, the 11th-lowest share in the country.

Gilbert, AZ is also a great place for people who have or plan to have kids, as it has a very good school system – 61% of public schools in the city get a rating of at least 7 out of 10 from Greatschools.org. While this may not seem like a high percentage, only 20 cities out of 182 in our study achieve percentages of 50% or higher. Gilbert has the third-lowest crime rate, too.

Chandler, AZ

Chandler, AZ, is the third-best place to rent in 2026, partly because most people only spend around 21% of their annual income on rent, and only around 20% of households spend more than 50% of their income on housing costs. Plus, the maximum security deposit that a landlord can charge is only two months’ rent.

In addition, homes in Chandler have a generous average square footage, at 1,888 square feet. There are plenty of new homes to choose from, too, as more than 17% of homes were built between 2010 and 2024. Lastly, Chandler, like its Arizonian counterpart above, also benefits from laws addressing bedbug infestations in rental properties.

Ask the Experts

Finding a suitable rental unit is a similar process to buying a home. Your search may be based purely on cost or also on needs, such as the number of bedrooms or close proximity to work. For guidance, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What tips do you have for a person looking to get the best value in an apartment?
What are the most common mistakes that renters make when searching for a new apartment?
In evaluating the best and worst cities for renters, what are the top five indicators?
Are the fastest growing cities a good place for renters? Why?
How can local policymakers make housing more affordable for renters without upsetting homeowners?

Ask the Experts

Scott Thorne
Ph.D. – Instructor, Department of Marketing - Southeast Missouri State University
Read More

Jeanette Landin
Ed.D., MBA – Professor, Professional Studies, Phi Theta Kappa and Golden Key Honors Societies Advisor, Landmark College
Read More

Andrew Burnstine
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, College of Business and Management - Lynn University
Read More

Kellen Zale
Associate Professor of Law and Baker Botts LLP Professor in Law - University of Houston Law Center
Read More

Lei Wedge
Associate Professor in the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, University of South Florida, Muma College of Business
Read More

Kristen Haseney
J.D., Assistant Extension Professor; Faculty Advisor, UConn Real Estate Society, Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies, Department of Finance - UConn School of Business
Read More

More Experts

Methodology

In order to determine the best local rental markets, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Rental Market & Affordability” and “Quality of Life.”

We evaluated those dimensions using 21 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for renters. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. Our sample considers only the city proper in each case and excludes cities in the surrounding metro area.

Rental Market & Affordability – Total Points: 60

Share of Renters: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Note: This metric specifically measures the share of renter occupied housing units among total occupied housing units.
Rental Vacancy Rate: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Sublet Laws-Friendliness*: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Average Home Square Footage: Half Weight (~1.62 Points)
Share of Newer Homes: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Note: “Newer Homes” include housing units built between 2010 and 2024.
Rental Affordability: Triple Weight (~9.73 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Median Gross Rent / Median Annual Household Income.
Share of Apartment Community Pillar Listings: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Note: A Community Pillar landlord has agreed to relax their standard tenant screening process in order to help applicants with potential rental barriers—such as low incomes, spotty credit scores, unemployment, or lack of housing references—be able to obtain housing.
Historical Rental-Price Changes: Triple Weight (~9.73 Points)
Note: This metric specifically measures the year-over-year change in rent prices (2026 vs. 2025 vs. 2024).
Share of Severely Cost-Burdened Renter Households: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Note: “Severely Cost-Burdened Renter Households,” as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, refers to consumers who spend at least 50 percent of their income on housing.
Average Annual Renters-Insurance Premium*: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Rent-to-Price Ratio: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Cost of Living: Triple Weight (~9.73 Points)
Security-Deposit Limit*: Full Weight (~3.24 Points)
Note: This metric measures the maximum security-deposit amount that landlords are allowed to charge in the state. A lower amount is ideal for renters.

Quality of Life – Total Points: 40

City Satisfaction Index: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
Note: This metric is based on Sharecare’s Well-Being “Community” Index Score, and refers to residents liking where they live, feeling safe and having pride in their community.
Job Market: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Jobs” ranking.
Driver-Friendliness: Half Weight (~2.86 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities to Drive in” ranking.
Recreation-Friendliness: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Recreation” ranking.
Weather: Half Weight (~2.86 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.
Quality of Public School System: Half Weight (~2.86 Points)
Note: This metric is based on GreatSchools.org’s ratings of U.S. public schools.
Safety: Double Weight (~11.43 Points)
Note: This metric measures the violent- and property-crime rates.
Presence of State Bedbug Laws*: Half Weight (~2.86 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of bedbug laws in the state. Bedbug laws address bedbug infestations in rental properties.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of June 9, 2026 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, Zillow, Insurance Information Institute, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Flex Zone, TurboTenant, Federal Bureau of Investigation, GreatSchools.org, National Association of REALTORS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, and WalletHub research.

Supporting Video Files:

Questions & Answers(1 question)

Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.In addition, WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.

Upvotes

What credit cards does Vrbo take?

Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer

Vrbo takes Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards as payment when booking a property online. In addition to most major credit cards, Vrbo takes payments via PayPal or installment financing through Affirm, if eligible.

Payment Methods You Can Use on Vrbo

Credit/debit cards: Vrbo accepts most major cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Vrbo also has their own credit cards, the One Key™ Card and the One Key+™ Card.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Some eligible bookings can be paid for with Affirm, allowing you to split the cost into monthly payments.
PayPal: Select properties allow you to pay through PayPal.

It's important to note that issuers have varying definitions of which purchases qualify as travel, so be sure to check a card's rewards program rules before you apply. If you use a travel rewards card and your Vrbo purchase does not code as travel, you will only get the base earning rate.

Best Credit Cards for Vrbo Bookings

Overall:
One Key™ Card
Travel Benefits:
One Key+™ Card
Double Miles:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Big Spenders:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Cash Back:
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Overall:
One Key™ Card
One Key™ Card
Learn MoreLearn More
Overall:
One Key™ Card
One Key™ Card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Overall:
One Key™ Card
One Key™ Card
Learn MoreLearn More
Travel Benefits:
One Key+™ Card
One Key+™ Card
Learn MoreLearn More
Travel Benefits:
One Key+™ Card
One Key+™ Card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Travel Benefits:
One Key+™ Card
One Key+™ Card
Learn MoreLearn More
Rates & Fees Double Miles:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Rates & Fees Double Miles:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Double Miles:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Learn MoreLearn More
Rates & Fees Big Spenders:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Rates & Fees Big Spenders:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Big Spenders:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Learn MoreLearn More
Cash Back:
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Cash Back:
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Cash Back:
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Learn MoreLearn More

Overall:
One Key™ Card
Travel Benefits:
One Key+™ Card
Double Miles:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Big Spenders:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Cash Back:
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Many of the best rewards cards require at least good credit for approval. To see where you stand, sign up for a free WalletHub account to get free credit scores and free credit reports, both updated daily.

Was this article helpful?

Important Disclosures

Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.

Advertisers compensate WalletHub when you click on a link, or your application is approved, or your account is opened. Advertising impacts how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.

Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any company, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.

WalletHub is not a financial advisor. Our goal is to provide you with top-notch content, data, and tools. You are responsible for deciding what financial products and providers are best for your needs.

Irrespective of whether an institution or professional is a paid advertiser, the presence of information on WalletHub does not constitute a referral or endorsement of the institution or professional by us or vice versa.

We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Actual terms may vary. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.

* The information about the following cards has been independently collected by WalletHub: One Key™ Card and One Key+™ Card.

Best & Worst Places to Rent in America (2026)

Main Findings

Best Places to Rent

In-Depth Look at the Best Places to Rent

Scottsdale, AZ

Gilbert, AZ

Chandler, AZ

Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Methodology

Rental Market & Affordability – Total Points: 60

Quality of Life – Total Points: 40

Supporting Video Files:

Questions & Answers(1 question)

What credit cards does Vrbo take?

Important Disclosures