{"id":120533,"date":"2022-05-31T00:42:19","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T07:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/?p=120533"},"modified":"2024-07-19T06:08:27","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T13:08:27","slug":"best-cities-for-renters-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/rental-market\/market-snapshots\/best-cities-for-renters-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Places to Live in for Renters in 2022: Round Rock, Raleigh & Conroe Steal the Spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Austin suburb Round Rock is crowned the best place to live in for renters in 2022, reconfirming the Lone Star State\u2019s rising appeal as a coveted place to live. North Carolina\u2019s Raleigh is in second place, followed by small cities located mainly in the South and Southeast. These are the findings of our new annual ranking of best cities for renters, which was based on proprietary data and a mix of 17 metrics that best define a great renting experience: from the cost of living and the quality of rental housing to the local economy and the quality of life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We analyzed data for hundreds of cities across the nation and narrowed them down to 115 candidates for the best cities to live as a renter in 2022. Specifically, we used a unique combination of 17 metrics based on our proprietary data that covers more than just affordability. In addition to what it costs to live there, we also looked at the selection and quality of apartments available in each city, the quality of the neighborhoods where rentals are located, occupancy rates, opportunities for job growth, air quality; and much more. All these metrics were given a certain weight and were gathered under three main categories: Cost of Living & Housing, Local Economy <\/em>and Quality of Life<\/em>. You can check out the full list of metrics used for the index in the\u00a0methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you would like to see an updated ranking of the best cities for renters to live in, here is our latest data for 2024<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, without any further ado, here are 2022\u2019s best cities to live in as a renter:<\/p>\n

Small, Lively Cities Make for the Best Places to Live in as Renters, Led by Round Rock, TX<\/h2>\n

The best cities to rent in are a mix of small but vibrant places like Conroe, TX<\/a>, balanced mid-sized cities like Raleigh, NC<\/a> and large, established renter hotspots like Austin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Small cities tend to offer the best life for renters, representing half of our top 50 \u2014 despite the fact that some people might expect larger cities to suit renters\u2019 needs the best. In fact, many of these smaller cities are suburbs of large metros and are often clustered in the Southern and Southeastern United States. What they all have in common is a healthy pace of new apartment construction and a great selection of amenity-rich properties.<\/p>\n

1. Round Rock, TX<\/h3>\n

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As a small Texan city just 15 miles north of Downtown Austin, Round Rock<\/strong><\/a> earned the title of the nation\u2019s best place to live in Texas. An up-and-coming tech center and the \u201csports capital of Texas\u201d, the state where renters have the most access to sports amenities<\/a>, Round Rock benefits from great year-round weather and a suburban feel \u2014 much sought-after in recent years \u2014, as well as many parks and great outdoor areas. Round Rock scores high in all the main categories of our index, the mix of which helped the city come in first place. More specifically, Round Rock ranks 13th<\/sup> in cost of living, 10th<\/sup> in terms of local economy and 12th<\/sup> in quality of life. At the same time, three-quarters of the apartments in Round Rock are classified as high-end, which means they check the most important features for modern renters \u2014 from large spaces to quality amenities and finishes. Put all of that together and you get a pretty good idea of why this charming city is the best place to be as a renter.<\/p>\n

2. Raleigh, NC<\/h3>\n

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The runner-up is Raleigh<\/strong>, NC<\/strong><\/a>, a city that ranks high in quality-of-life metrics, such as a high share of apartments located in top neighborhoods, while also boasting a booming job market. The city abounds in highly educated residents \u2014 more than half of them hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Raleigh also has that increasingly popular urban-suburban vibe, which allows people to enjoy the benefits of the big-city life, as well as the quiet and safety of suburbia. In 2021, Raleigh was one of the top 20 U.S. cities with the most apartment construction<\/a>, thanks to a five-year high of approximately 4,800 new apartments delivered \u2014 a sign of constant development and demand that make this North Carolina city a thriving apartment scene.<\/p>\n