July 9, 2026
Looking to Rent? These Are America's Best Cities for Renters in 2026

Looking to Rent? These Are America's Best Cities for Renters in 2026

If you're planning a move and renting instead of buying, a new report suggests you might want to look toward Arizona.

A new study from WalletHub ranked 182 U.S. rental markets and found that three Arizona cities claimed the top spots as the best places for renters in 2026. The rankings looked beyond just monthly rent, factoring in affordability, job opportunities, quality of life, weather, recreation, traffic, renter protections, and more.

Arizona Takes the Top Three

Scottsdale earned the No. 1 spot thanks to its strong job market, excellent driving conditions, pleasant weather, and plenty of recreational opportunities. While it isn't one of the cheapest rental markets in the country, the average renter spends less than 22% of their annual income on housing. Renters also enjoy larger-than-average homes, with the typical residence measuring more than 2,100 square feet.

Gilbert came in second, offering a combination of affordable rental costs, spacious homes, and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Chandler rounded out the top three, where renters spend about 21% of their annual income on housing while benefiting from a healthy local economy and strong quality of life.

The Top 10 Cities for Renters

1. Scottsdale, Arizona
2. Gilbert, Arizona
3. Chandler, Arizona
4. Overland Park, Kansas
5. Columbia, Maryland
6. Peoria, Arizona
7. Bismarck, North Dakota
8. Huntsville, Alabama
9. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
10. Amarillo, Texas

What Makes a Great Rental City?

According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, the best rental cities aren't just about finding the lowest monthly payment.

In some of the highest-ranked cities, renters spend as little as 15% of their income on rent while also benefiting from strong renter protections, healthy job markets, manageable traffic, and plenty of entertainment and recreation options. The study also considered factors like cost of living and local laws designed to protect renters from excessive security deposits and other fees.

Rent Prices Are Finally Cooling

There's also some encouraging news for renters nationwide.

According to Zillow, the typical U.S. asking rent reached $1,910 in March, up just 1.8% compared to a year ago. That's the slowest annual increase since 2020, suggesting rent prices may finally be stabilizing after years of rapid growth.

Single-family rental homes averaged $2,225 per month, up 2.5% year-over-year, while multifamily apartments averaged $1,757, increasing 1.3%.

While housing costs remain high in many areas, slowing rent increases and strong rental markets could give renters more options—and a little more breathing room—in 2026.

Posted by Johnny Ice at 11:04 AM