Study shows best places in the Pacific Northwest for renters

Michaela Bourgeois
·2 min read
2

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – USA TODAY Homefront released a study ranking the best cities in the United States for renters, showing some cities in the Pacific Northwest falling lower on the list.

Researchers at USA Today Homefront ranked the top 315 cities for renters across the U.S. on several factors — including which cities offer the best cost incentives, good schools, low crime rates, and the number of restaurants nearby.

The study comes as signing a lease is more expensive than ever, according to the Zillow Observed Rent Index, which found typical rent prices increased by over 35% from December 2018 to December 2023.

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The researchers also noted a study by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, which found that a record 22.4 million U.S. renters are spending over 30% of their income on rent and utilities — with 50-57.9% of Oregon renters being cost-burdened.

Cary, North Carolina was ranked the best city overall for renters in 2024 because of the city’s financial accessibility, low crime, and good schools. Overland Park, Kansas, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Frisco Texas, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania round out the top five best cities for renters in the U.S.

Bellevue, Wash. was among the top cities for renters in the Pacific Northwest (ranked 42) with typical rent at $2,549, and over 34% of renters being cost-burdened, according to the study.

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Towards the middle of the list, Hillsboro, Ore. was ranked 133, with typical rent at $1,996 and 43% rent-burdened residents.

Next, Seattle, Wash. was ranked 150, with typical rent at $2,186, followed by Bend, Ore. (ranked 162) with typical rent at $2,275.

Researchers also ranked Gresham 214 with typical rent at $1,627, followed by Vancouver, Wash. (ranked 220) with typical rent at $1,825.

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Lower on the list, Salem, Ore. was ranked 227 with typical rent at $1,717, and Eugene, Ore. ranked 240 with rent at $1,752, according to the study.

Researchers ranked Portland, Ore. 241 with typical rent at $1,757 and over 53% of rent-burdened residents.

Tacoma, Wash. was among the worst cities for renters in the Pacific Northwest, ranking 300 out of the 315 cities in the study, with typical rent at $1,700.

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According to USA TODAY Homefront, the worst ten cities for renters are all in California, from Victorville (306) to Richmond (310) and Menifee (315.)

Overall, researchers found California and Florida have the highest percentage of rent-burdened residents.

Researchers determined typical rent using Zillow’s Observed Rent Index and identified rent-burdened households from the U.S. Census 2022 American Community Survey.

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