WalletHub Study Reveals 2025’s Best and Worst U.S. Cities for Renters

A recent study by WalletHub has pinpointed the best and worst cities for renters in 2025, offering insights into the evolving rental market across the United States. The study, which analyzed over 180 cities based on 21 key indicators, including rental affordability, cost of living, and job availability, reveals stark contrasts between the top and bottom performers.

Leading the list of best cities for renters is Overland Park, KS, followed by Scottsdale, AZ, and Chandler, AZ, showcasing the appeal of these areas for those seeking value and quality of life. On the opposite end, cities like Huntington, WV, and San Bernardino, CA, were ranked among the worst, reflecting challenges in affordability and living conditions.

Notably, Bismarck, North Dakota, stands out for having the highest rental affordability, with median annual gross rent consuming just 15.34% of median household income. In contrast, Hialeah, Florida, struggles with the lowest affordability, where rent takes up 35.22% of income. The study also highlights Charleston, West Virginia, for its high rental vacancy rate, which is 10.4 times that of South Burlington, Vermont, the city with the lowest rate.

Further disparities are evident in the share of renter-occupied housing units, with Newark, New Jersey, leading at a rate 4.5 times higher than Port St. Lucie, Florida. Brownsville, Texas, offers the lowest cost of living, significantly lower than Honolulu and Pearl City, Hawaii, while Warwick, Rhode Island, boasts the fewest violent crimes per 1,000 residents, a stark contrast to Oakland, California.

This study underscores the importance of location in the rental market, with implications for renters' financial health and quality of life. For more details, visit https://www.wallethub.com.