A guide to recognizing and avoiding rental scams
As a renter, it’s important to know how to protect yourself against those who may try to take your money fraudulently. This means knowing how to spot and avoid rental scams, especially online. While the internet has increased flexibility and ease in finding apartments for rent from trusted sources, unfortunately, it has also created an…
Read MoreYour first month of solo apartment life: A week-by-week guide for new renters
Moving into your own apartment is one of the most exciting milestones of young adulthood. But it’s also one of the most overwhelming. Between setting up utilities, learning how the building works and managing the emotions that come with independence, the first month can feel like a lot. That’s why we put together this week-by-week…
Read More5 questions to ask before renting an apartment in Asheville, NC
Asheville has earned its reputation for good reason. The food scene punches well above its weight, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a short drive away and the city’s arts and culture identity is genuine, not just a tourism pitch. But Asheville’s rental market operates under a set of conditions you won’t find in most other…
Read MoreJune 2026 self storage report: Rents slip 1.5% annually, edge up 0.7% from May
National street rates averaged $135 in June 2026, down 1.5% year-over-year but up 0.7% from May, as the summer moving season provides a modest seasonal floor. Spring Valley, NV, posted the steepest annual rent decline at 10.3%, while Glendale, CA, and St. Petersburg, FL, followed with drops of 7.6% and 7.4%, respectively. Santa Clarita, CA,…
Read MoreGreen flags vs. red flags: what to notice on every apartment tour
Finding a place online is the easy part. The apartment tour is where you find out what the photos left out. For a first-time renter, that walk-through can feel quick and a little overwhelming, so it can be tempting to focus on the fun stuff, like big windows or a cool kitchen. But the same…
Read MoreRenting like a local: 5 questions to ask before signing a lease in Boston
Boston is one of the most rewarding cities to call home. It’s walkable, full of history and packed with distinct neighborhoods that each have their own feel. Whether you’re a student heading to one of the area’s many colleges, a young professional starting a new job or a family looking for more space, renting in…
Read MoreHere’s how to get around Pittsburgh as a renter using public transit
Pittsburgh is a city of three rivers, steep ridges and nearly 450 bridges. All that terrain shapes how you get from your front door to work, class or a Saturday outing. For renters who’d rather skip car payments, expensive gas fill-ups and the daily hunt for parking, a dependable transit network is one of the…
Read MorePublic transit in White Plains, NY: A renter’s guide to getting around without a car
If you’re searching for apartments in White Plains, NY, how you’ll get around should weigh just as heavily as the kitchen layout or the closet space. White Plains’ public transit is one of the strongest selling points for renters in Westchester County — and when your building sits near a train station or a bus…
Read MoreMillennial housing report: Where they’re buying homes and where they’re still renting
There’s more to Millennials than brunches and air fryers. In recent years, many have decided to settle down and buy homes. In fact, approximately 5.3 million Millennials became homeowners in just five years, which marks a 74% increase in Millennial-owned households. At the same time, the number of Millennial renters in the U.S. rose by a…
Read MoreHow to set boundaries that keep the peace when working from home with roommates
Two people. One apartment. Four back-to-back video calls before lunch. If that sounds familiar, you might be living in the reality of working from home with roommates. Remote and hybrid work has become normal for younger renters, and many Gen Z and Millennial households now have more than one person working from home in an…
Read More$1,500 rent budget: How much apartment space can you get in 200 U.S. cities?
If you have a $1,500 budget to rent an apartment, where you choose to live makes all the difference. In McAllen, TX, one of the lowest cost-of-living areas in the U.S., that amount stretches the furthest, to 1,378 square feet, enough for a three- to four-bedroom apartment. In Manhattan, NY, that same budget barely gets…
Read MoreChicago vs. Boston: The cost of living breakdown every renter needs to know
Chicago or Boston? For a lot of renters searching for apartments, the choice comes down to fit, which city matches the life you’re after and the budget you’re working with. Chicago draws people in with lakefront summers, distinct neighborhoods and big-city energy. Boston makes its own case with walkable streets, a thriving job market and…
Read MoreA renter’s guide to public transit in Trenton, NJ, and getting around without a car
Trenton sits at an unusual crossroads. New Jersey‘s capital is one of the few cities in the country where you can catch a train north to New York or south to Philadelphia from the very same station, which makes it a rare find for renters who would rather not build their day around a car.…
Read More5 questions to ask before renting an apartment in McAllen, TX
McAllen has a lot going for it as a place to settle down for renters. The cost of living is low, the food is outstanding, and the weather is warm year-round. But perhaps most importantly, the city has been steadily adding jobs in health care, retail and logistics. But there are a few things about…
Read MoreApartment pool rules: The written and unwritten ones every renter should know
The community pool is one of the few amenities every resident shares at the same time. Unlike your apartment, where what you do stays behind your own door, your music, your guests and your towel on that last shaded chair all affect the people around you. For first-time renters, the posted regulations are the easy…
Read MoreMoving to Santa Barbara, CA? Here are 5 questions to ask before renting
Santa Barbara, CA, draws a wide mix of renters — young professionals working in tech and healthcare, UCSB students and graduate researchers and remote workers drawn by the coastal lifestyle. Many longtime residents have built their lives around the city’s walkable downtown and mild year-round weather. What makes renting in Santa Barbara different from other…
Read MoreLease renewal season is here: Your step-by-step playbook for negotiating your next lease
Lease renewal season doesn’t have to feel stressful. With the right timing, a little research and a clear plan, you can approach the conversation with your property manager feeling confident. This guide walks you through exactly what to do in the 60 to 90 days before your lease expires. We’ll take you through gathering comparable rent…
Read MoreThe best affordable neighborhoods in Fresno, CA, for budget-minded renters
In the heart of California‘s Central Valley, Fresno is about 186 miles south of San Francisco. It gives renters a rare mix in the Golden State: city amenities without the sky-high price tag found on the coast. As of June 2026, the average rent in Fresno is $1,633 per month, below the national average of…
Read More11 Locals-endorsed things to do in and around Irving, TX
Positioned 15 minutes east of Dallas and 30 minutes west of Fort Worth, Irving, TX was founded in 1903 and was later incorporated in 1914. Until the post-WWII boom, the area remained largely agricultural. In the early 1970s, the iconic Las Colinas community sprouted (think Beverly Hills in LA or Buckhead in Atlanta), transforming Irving…
Read MoreThe future of rental approvals beyond traditional screening methods
Key takeaways: Traditional screening tools like credit scores and W-2s often fail to reflect a renter’s true ability to pay — leaving freelancers, retirees, and international professionals unfairly disqualified. Newer approaches, including cash-flow underwriting and rent payment reporting, are giving renters more ways to demonstrate financial reliability beyond standard documentation. Institutional guarantor services can help…
Read MoreHunting for an apartment in Santa Clarita, CA? Ask these questions before you sign
Santa Clarita sits in a wide valley about 30 miles north of Los Angeles, trading big-city density for master-planned neighborhoods, open trails and a slower pace. Rent here generally costs less than what you’d pay near central Los Angeles, which is part of why apartments in Santa Clarita draw families and commuters looking for more…
Read MoreCost of living in Miami vs. Tampa, FL: Which city is right for a renter’s budget?
Two Florida cities, the same sunshine and palm trees, but very different price tags. If you’re weighing a move between Miami and Tampa or you’re just curious how far your rent budget stretches in each, the gap between them is wider than the three-hour drive suggests. Key takeaways: Rent drives the gap. Miami’s overall cost…
Read MoreMeet AI Mode, your apartment search assistant on RentCafe.com
Apartment hunting usually starts the same way: You type a city, choose the number of bedrooms, set a budget, and start scrolling. It works, but when you don’t know exactly what you want or your needs are harder to capture (good transit access, a quiet street, room for both a desk and a dog), you might feel the need for some guidance.  AI Mode on RentCafe is…
Read MoreMay 2026 self storage report: Rates fall annually, stagnate monthly
National street rates averaged $133 per month in May 2026, same as in April yet down 2.2% from 2025. 30% of the 150 largest U.S. cities recorded annual rent increases, up +2% from last month; 70% posted rate decreases, as compared to 72% in April. Santa Clarita, CA, recorded the biggest rent growth: a whopping…
Read MoreTop design trends defining Bay Area apartments right now
The Bay Area apartment scene is undergoing a notable design shift in 2026. After years dominated by pared-back minimalism and fast-cycling aesthetic trends, renters and developers across San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and the broader Bay Area are embracing a new design philosophy, one rooted in timelessness, intentionality, and personal well-being. We’ve asked Bay Area-based…
Read MoreBest affordable neighborhoods in St. Louis, MO for renters on a budget
If you’re looking for apartments in a city where rent doesn’t eat up most of your paycheck, St. Louis, MO, is worth considering. The average rent here is $1,437 a month as of June 2026, which is already well below what renters pay in high-caliber cities like Chicago, Denver or Austin, TX. And with a…
Read More5 essential questions you need to ask before renting an apartment in Yonkers, NY
Yonkers, NY, has a lot going for it. Just north of the Bronx along the Hudson River, it offers a mix of walkable neighborhoods, historic architecture and easy access to New York City. All of this at a price point that’s tough to beat in the greater metro area. For renters who’ve been priced out…
Read MoreKnoxville vs. Nashville cost of living comparison: which city fits your renter budget?
Two Tennessee cities, two different price tags. Nashville pulls renters in with its music scene and fast-growing job market, while Knoxville offers smaller monthly bills and an easy drive to the Smoky Mountains. If you’re trying to decide between them, the cost of living is probably near the top of your list. Key takeaways: Knoxville’s…
Read MorePublic transit in Providence: What renters need to know
This compact, walkable city is one of the most transit-friendly in New England, making car-free renting not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable. If you’re relocating for a job at one of the city’s major hospitals, starting classes at Brown or RISD or just looking to simplify your daily routine, understanding Providence‘s public transit options can…
Read MoreWhat are the best affordable neighborhoods to rent in Burbank, CA?
Burbank is the heart of California’s entertainment industry, but that prime location comes with a price tag that puts affordable neighborhoods in short supply. The average rent here is $2,862, well above the national average of $1,741. On top of that, the cost of living in Burbank runs roughly 62% higher than the U.S. average,…
Read MoreThese are the best affordable neighborhoods for renters in Cary, NC
Cary has built a reputation as one of the best places to live in North Carolina. The town sits at the western edge of the Research Triangle, putting residents within easy reach of Raleigh, Durham and the dense cluster of tech, biotech and healthcare employers that make up one of the strongest job markets on…
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