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

Pictured is a subdivision in the Summer Creek Lane and Benfield Road area in Charlotte, where corporate landlords have purchased homes and converted them to rentals.
Charlotte, Raleigh and several other North Carolina cities ranked among the best in the U.S. in a recent report by RentCafe. 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.

Chyna Blackmon
The Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
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