RentCafe’s annual ranking unveiled the best cities for renters in 2024, and several North Texas cities came out on top.
To aid renters in finding their perfect city, they analyzed 20 metrics across 150 U.S. cities. These metrics, encompassing apartment quality, economic strength, traffic, air quality and natural amenities, were grouped into three categories: cost of living and housing; local economy; and quality of life.
McKinney, secured the fourth spot on the list, excelling in cost of living and housing (#2) and quality of life (#9). This achievement is due to a combination of a lower-than-average cost of living, high-end apartments in prime locations and excellent schools. With its small-town charm and strong community spirit, McKinney is perfect for renters looking to escape the city bustle without sacrificing urban comforts. The city offers a variety of parks, farmers markets and local businesses, all centered around its historic downtown, making it a popular choice for both young professionals and students.
Plano ranked as the nation’s 17th best city for renters to live in 2024, offering top-tier schools, a highly educated population and numerous premium apartments. It excels in quality of life, holding the #7 spot due to having the best schools in the U.S., good air quality and over 70% of apartments in prime locations.
The Plano economy ranked #32, with about 40.5% of residents holding at least one college degree and a high number of business applications. For housing and cost of living, Plano ranked #45, boasting the nation’s 4th largest share of high-quality apartments at 78.1%. While securing a rental here is easier than in cities like Dallas or Fort Worth, the cost of living, which is 16.6% higher than the U.S. average, affects its ranking in this category.
Dallas ranked 57th among 149 cities, holding the #50 spot for both cost of living and housing and the local economy, and #60 for quality of life. The city showed medium rental market competitiveness and numerous business applications. However, Dallas ranked lower than Plano due to its smaller apartments (averaging 849 square feet), a lower percentage of highly educated residents (24%) and fewer apartments in prime locations (25%).
To view the full study, visit the link here.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
