The 10 Best Cities for Renters in 2023

With 2022 coming to a close, renters across America may be wondering where the best cities to live are in the new year. While rent prices are expected to increase in major cities like New York and Boston, there are a handful of cities that are expected to maintain their reputation for being renter-friendly. Through research on our end, and research provided by Forbes, we’ve compiled the 10 best cities for renters in 2023 based on rent for a 2-bedroom unit:

Lincoln, NE

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,068 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,047 square feet

Weather risks: Hurricanes, severe flooding

Lincoln is Nebraska’s state capital. This city is great if you’re looking for accessibility, as 91 percent of residents are within 10 minutes of a park. The downside is that only about 64 percent of rentals allow pets, which is lower than the national average of 70 percent.

Chesapeake, VA

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,432 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,004 square feet

Weather risks: Hurricanes

Chesapeake is one of the safest cities on this list with ultra-low crime rates. Plus, living near the coast brings opportunities to adventure in calm waters and go on lovely nature walks.

Virginia Beach, VA

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,470 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,022 square feet

Weather risks: Hurricanes

Virginia Beach is a great location if you’re looking to live by, or even on, a beach without shelling out thousands. The area has plenty of fun stuff to do, just be prepared for hurricane season and flooding.

Raleigh, NC

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,526 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,059 square feet

Weather risks: Hurricanes, severe storms

Raleigh’s low crime rate, spacious rentals, and rental amenities earn it the number four spot on this list. Being the capital of North Carolina, and part of the “Research Triangle” with Chapel Hill and Durham, you won’t be short of things to do and surrounding cities to visit.

Plano, TX

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,862 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,085 square feet

Weather risks: Hurricanes, severe storms, wildfires

Although Plano’s rent prices teeter on the high-end, the square footage usually makes up for it. Plano is also great for pet owners, with 98 percent of rentals allowing pets.

Gilbert, AZ

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,956 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,059 square feet

Weather risks: Flooding, wildfires

Gilbert is a hidden gem of a city for renters. The city is currently in the midst of a construction boom, so there’ll only be more available rentals here in years to come.

Scottsdale, AZ

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $2,226 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,084 square feet

Weather risks: Flooding, wildfires

Similar to Gilbert, Scottsdale is also experiencing a construction boom right now. Since 2017, there’s been a 12-percent increase in rental units. Take advantage and go check it out!

Irvine, CA

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $3,328 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,088 square feet

Weather risks: Earthquakes, wildfires

Irvine has the second-roomiest two-bedroom apartments in this list. On the flip side, you are required to pay a lot. But this may be worth it if you want to live in southern California, as Irvine is right in the middle of Los Angeles and San Diego.

Henderson, NV

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,771 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,088 square feet

Weather risks: Wildfires

If you’re not into Las Vegas but want to be close by, the suburb of Henderson is a great option. It’s also one the best cities for dogs and dog owners.

Chandler, AZ

Average rent for a 2-bedroom: $1,913 a month

Average size of a 2-bedroom: 1,053 square feet

Weather risks: Wildfires, flooding

Just like with Scottsdale and Gilbert, Chandler is building new apartments left and right. This city is ideal if you enjoy outdoor activities in the sun year-round, with a total 330 days of expected sunshine.

Honorable Mentions

Wichita, Kansas — lowest rent for 2-bedroom units

Atlanta, Georgia — largest average 2-bedroom apartment size

Move into 2023 with Confidence

Although the economy is always changing, we’re confident that the 10 cities listed here will maintain their reputations for being the best cities for renters in 2023. Whether you’re looking to move to a brand new city or simply curious as to what the renting trends are across the US, we’ve got you covered on where to look first. Just remember that this list only touches the tip of the iceberg — there are plenty of other cities out there that offer affordable rent and great amenities. It all comes down to what’s important to you and your family.