Metro Phoenix falls on list of best U.S. cities to rent

RentCafe's recent study ranks Metro Phoenix as the 94th best U. S. city for renters, a significant drop from 72nd place last year. The region's cost of living is 6. 2% higher than the national average, while job growth experienced a slight decline of 0.

3% over the past year. Air quality has decreased markedly, with a current score of 70, down from 18 in 2024. Despite these setbacks, nearly half of all apartments in the Valley are upscale, and 17% are newly constructed. The Valley's entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, evidenced by a rise in business applications from 188 in April 2024 to 202 in April 2025. Adina Dragos from RentCafe highlighted the importance of affordability and job opportunities for renters looking ahead to 2025.

McKinney, Texas, claimed the top spot for renters, followed by Sarasota, Florida, and Atlanta. The worst cities for renters include Anaheim, Sunnyvale, and Queens, New York.