The 5 best cities in America for renters — and the 5 worst

Rents are falling nationwide, but averages obscure a more complicated story. 

New data from Realtor.com shows the decline is mostly happening in luxury units, and only in certain parts of the country. 

“National rent declines have been remarkably persistent, but the distribution of that relief matters,” Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, said. “Many renters shopping for more affordable homes may not feel much change because lower-priced rents have risen more since 2019 while the biggest markdowns have shown up at the high end.”

Realtor.com data shows the rental market in much of the Northeast and the Midwest is still tight, while prices have softened in the South and Southwest.

“Housing in 2025 wasn’t defined by a single national narrative,” Hale said. “Some markets told the regional story almost perfectly, while others consistently defied it.”

And some metro areas still remain much more affordable than others. Realtor.com compiled a list of the five major metro areas where it’s easiest to afford the median rent, and the five where it’s hardest — relative to each city's median income.

Continue reading to see which metro areas made the list.