These NC cities rank among the best places for renters in the US, report says

Chyna Blackmon
Jeff Siner/jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

Many factors go into choosing a place to live, and according to a new report, some of the very best spots are in North Carolina.

RentCafe released a list of the top cities for renters across the U.S. based on cost of living and housing, local economy, and quality of life. The group looked at 150 bustling big cities and smaller suburban towns.

From apartment quality and economic strength to traffic, air quality and natural amenities, the majority of the top 50 best places for renters to live are in the South — including several in North Carolina:

Chapel Hill (#8)

  • Overall rank: 8

  • Housing and cost of living: 8

  • Local economy: 92

  • Quality of life: 3

Charlotte (#11)

  • Overall rank: 11

  • Housing and cost of living: 6

  • Local economy: 25

  • Quality of life: 50

Raleigh (#12)

  • Overall rank: 12

  • Housing and cost of living: 13

  • Local economy: 37

  • Quality of life: 16

Wilmington (#19)

  • Overall rank: 19

  • Housing and cost of living: 14

  • Local economy: 22

  • Quality of life: 56

Durham (#20)

  • Overall rank: 20

  • Housing and cost of living: 31

  • Local economy: 19

  • Quality of life: 28

Asheville (#37)

  • Overall rank: 37

  • Housing and cost of living: 17

  • Local economy: 84

  • Quality of life: 35

Greenville (#44)

  • Overall rank: 44

  • Housing and cost of living: 18

  • Local economy: 77

  • Quality of life: 66

“Claiming 38 out of 50 positions in our ranking, the South establishes itself as the best region for renters in 2024,” the report says. “From popular rental hotspots like Atlanta and highly competitive Miami to smaller locales — such as McKinney, TX; Marietta, GA; and Daytona Beach, FL — the South offers options that cater to nearly every renter’s preference.”

Here’s a look at how the North Carolina metros compare to the other top-ranked cities for renters:

You can find the full report about the best cities for renters online at www.rentcafe.com/blog.

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