Huntsville, Alabama, moved up three spots to No. 2.
McKinney, Texas, Retains Title as Top City for Renters
For the second consecutive year, McKinney, Texas, has been named the best city for renters by RentCafe. In addition to McKinney, Southern cities dominated the 2026 rankings, with 37 of the top 50 spots.
RentCafe’s rankings were based on 20 key metrics, including the selection and quality of apartments available, commute times, occupancy rates, and job growth opportunities. All the metrics were given certain weights and were gathered under three main categories: cost of living and housing; local economy; and quality of life.
To take the No. 1 spot, McKinney ranks third in cost of living and housing and ninth in quality of life. About 85% of the rentals are high-end, and nearly 65% are in prime locations. Renter incomes also are up 36%. Plus, it boasts 3,000 acres of parks and 80 miles of trails.
Huntsville, Alabama, moved up three spots to No. 2. The city places high for housing and cost of living, with a growing share of new inventory and renter incomes surging 60.4%, the fastest rising in the South.
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Moving up from No. 4 last year, Austin, Texas, rounds out the top three. The Texas capital placed high in local economy and cost of living and housing. It also remains one of the nation’s leading technology and innovation hubs.
Other highlights on RentCafe’s rankings include:
- Savannah, Georgia, broke into the top 50 for the first time, moving up 21 spots to No. 45. The cost of living improved year over year—9.3% below the national average. In addition, 1 in 4 rental units is newly built;
- Birmingham, Alabama, returned to the top 50 at No. 40, after being left off for three years. More than half of the market’s rental apartments are high end;
- Gainesville, Florida, dropped out of the top 50 for the first time. The cost of living in the college town shifted from 5% below the national average to 1% above it, and no job growth has been recorded this year;
- Scottsdale, Arizona, ranked No. 7, leads the best cities for renters in the West. Gilbert, Arizona, and Denver also are Western hotspots for renters;
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota, continues to be a top place for renters in the Midwest, followed by Rochester, Minnesota, and Lincoln, Nebraska; and
- Albany, New York, takes the top spot for the best cities for renters in the Northeast, followed by Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Source: Multifamily Executive
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