Key facts
- WalletHub analyzed 182 U.S. markets to identify the best and worst cities for renters.
- Arizona cities, including Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Chandler, were highlighted for their rental market and quality of life.
- Scottsdale, Arizona, received the top ranking for quality of life.
- Shreveport, Louisiana, was listed among the worst cities for renters.
- Cities were graded on rental market affordability and quality of life using 21 metrics.
WalletHub has released a study identifying the top and bottom 10 cities for renters across the United States. The analysis evaluated 182 markets based on rental market affordability and quality of life, using 21 distinct metrics. Arizona emerged as a strong performer, with four cities—Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, and one other not explicitly named but implied to be in the top 10—making the list of best cities for renters. Scottsdale, in particular, secured the top spot for quality of life. The study noted that renters in these Arizona cities typically spend less than 22% of their income on rent, aligning with U.S. News & World Report's 17th-place ranking for Arizona's employment sector.
Conversely, cities at the lower end of the spectrum, such as Shreveport, Louisiana; Huntington, West Virginia; and Augusta, Georgia, were characterized by low rankings in both rental market affordability and quality of life, with scores not exceeding 123rd place in either category. Shreveport, LA, received a total score of 38.08, ranking 123rd for rental market and affordability and 179th for quality of life. Huntington, WV, scored 38.02, with ranks of 143rd and 172nd, respectively. Augusta, GA, followed with a score of 38.00, ranking 136th for rental market and affordability and 180th for quality of life.