Looking For Your Family’s Forever City? The Best Places for Renter Families in 2023 Are in the South, With Plano, TX Ranking First

If you’re among the 68 million renters living with their family, you know that raising children is hard work. Add to that the task of finding the right apartment in the best place for renter families and it quickly becomes a complicated endeavor.

So, to make this process a little easier, we set out to find the best places to live as a renting family. In total, we looked at nearly 140 cities in the U.S. to see what they could offer for renters with children. What we found was that the South overwhelmingly provides the best options. Specifically, Plano, TX, is the number 1 choice on our list, followed closely by sunny Scottsdale, AZ; historic Arlington, VA; and Marietta, GA, among many others.

In fact, by analyzing 25 relevant metrics — including cost of living, availability of family-sized apartments, school quality and things to do with children — we narrowed down the ideal choices for raising your family while renting in 2023. These findings were grouped into three categories: cost of living and housing; local economy; and quality of life.

Whether you’re ready to take the family on a road trip to settle into a new, exciting city or simply looking for the best places for renter families around the country until you can buy a home, this list might help you find the right place for you and your family.

Families Get the Most Out of Their Renting Experience in the South  

Take a look at the top 50 best cities that provide ample opportunities for renters with families:

1. Plano, TX

Taking the lead in 2023 as the most family-friendly city is none other than Plano, TX — and it’s easy to see why: Ranking third in local economy and fourth in quality of life, Plano hits that sweet, sweet spot between urban and suburban.

Priding itself on its high-quality schools and larger-than-average apartments, the “City of Excellence” offers plenty of space for the whole family to feel comfortable, while still enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of this Southern place. Moreover, with its warm and upbeat vibe, there are tons of family-friendly entertainment venues — from bowling to escape room games and ziplining.

2. Scottsdale, AZ

Looking for a place with a bit of an upscale vibe? You might want to check out Scottsdale, which, despite its reputation, isn’t just a retirement destination, but also a great place to raise a family. Ranking second in quality of life, and seventh in local economy, “The West’s Most Western Town” is a great pick if you’re looking for more than 330 sunny days a year (or quick access to America’s largest butterfly conservatory, Butterfly Wonderland).

In addition, Scottsdale’s large apartments are mostly located in top locations — meaning you not only get gorgeous views, but also proximity to some of your favorite shopping and entertainment outlets. Imagine all the Instagrammable possibilities! And, with access to quality schools and tons of green spaces, we can safely deem Scottsdale a dream come true for many renters who want a city that's bursting with energy.

3. Arlington, VA

Coming in the third spot for the best places for renter families is Arlington — a place teeming with history, but still keeping up with the younger crowd. It comes in third for quality of life and second for local economy, which isn't surprising given that it's home to various companies, such as Boeing and BAE Systems. Notably, this historic city is a hotspot for renters — who make up more than half of the households here — who have the option of living in apartments situated in top locations.

What’s more, Arlington also has lots of family-friendly spots to visit, from Ocean Dunes Waterpark, National Geographic Museum and Mosaic Park to what promises to be the ultimate laser tag experience, Ultrazone. Moreover, with Arlington also boasting one of the highest percentages of highly educated residents and a high child enrollment rate, the city proves that it knows how to both play hard and work hard.

4. Marietta, GA

Marietta, GA, claims the fourth spot on our list (and our hearts), thanks to its high share of family apartments, great schools and low cost of living. This is best exemplified by it ranking seventh in cost of living and housing. Plus, this Atlanta suburb is a haven for families who strive to keep active: It's home to two amusement parks (Six Flags White Water and Catch Air); and the Mountasia entertainment center; and quite a few escape rooms.

Furthermore, due to its larger-than-average apartments, Marietta is also a great place for renters looking for more space for their family — and all of their sports equipment.

5. Sunnyvale, CA

With a name as inviting as “Sunnyvale,” it’s no wonder that the heart of the Silicon Valley has landed in the fifth spot on our list of the best places for renter families in 2023. More precisely, Sunnyvale has snagged first place not only in local economy, but also in quality of life, thanks to its high-quality schools and access to green spaces.

The city also offers a ton of variety when it comes to kid-friendly activities which range from artistic — like Color Me Mime — to more outdoorsy fun at Safari Run, Seven Sea Park or Baylands Park, which is famous for its birdwatching opportunities. Additionally, thanks to the high number of couples with children who also live in this area, making life-long friends is all but guaranteed.

6. Round Rock, TX

The sixth spot on our list of best places for renter families goes to none other than the “Sports Capital of Texas,” Round Rock. Thanks to its large apartments, high-quality schools, and many job opportunities at companies like Dell Technologies and Emerson, Round Rock ranks ninth in quality of life and 24^th in local economy.

Here, the city lives up to its nickname in the best way possible by providing renters and their families with various entertainment options ranging from Chisholm Trail Crossing Park to Dell Diamond and Rock’N River Water Park. So, if you’re looking for a place to stay active and have fun while doing so, Round Rock has got you covered.

7. Austin, TX

The capital city of Texas ranks seventh in our top for best places for renter families in the U.S. in 2023, claiming the 12^th spot for local economy and the 15^th position for quality of life.

Considered a hub for creative culture, the “Live Music Capital of the World” gives access to various entertainment options, such as Circuit of Americas, the Museum of Ice Cream and Barton Springs Pool. With such a lineup, it’s no wonder that Austin appeals to families with young children and teenagers alike. What more, the city also stands out due to its low cost of living, which has attracted a large share of renters to the point that they even outnumber homeowners.

8. Fayetteville, AR

The eighth spot among the best places for renter families belongs to Arkansas’ second-largest city, Fayetteville. Ranking first as far as cost of living and housing, Fayetteville makes it very easy to stay within budget while raising a family. Even with its small-town charm, it still manages to have one of the biggest shares of family apartments, while also enabling renters to upsize at a very low cost.

On top of all that, the “Track Capital of the World” is rife with fun activities for everybody to enjoy — especially if you’re a nature lover. Namely, Wilson Park, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and Razorback Regional Railways are some of the favorites. Or if you thrive on competition, Modern Mission and Arkadia Retrocade are sure to keep you on your toes with some tactical laser tag or old-school arcade games.

9. Raleigh, NC

Striking a perfect balance between Southern charm and a busy college town, Raleigh snags ninth place in our ranking of the best places for renter families in 2023. Ranking 16^th in local economy and 24^th in quality of life, “The City of Oaks” is a hotspot for new research and development — great news for parents dreaming of raising a little scientist.

But, fun is not off the table, either! To that end, Prairie Ridge Ecostation and Marbles Kids Museum both make learning a dynamic and unforgettable experience, whereas Pullen Park is sure to keep everybody in shape while admiring the beauty of nature. As an added bonus, renters who decide to make this place their forever home can look forward to large apartments (half of which are in top locations) as well as a low cost of living.

10. Ann Arbor, MI

With a name as idyllic as Ann Arbor, renters couldn’t find a better place to settle. Nicknamed “Tree Town” due to its dense forestation, Ann Arbor rounds out our top 10 best places for renter families, while simultaneously checking many boxes on a renter’s forever city list. With half of residents here being renters — in addition to a low cost of living and access to green spaces and great schools — the city ranks 10^th when it comes to local economy and 14^th in quality of life.

Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is full of fun and cultural events, such as the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Nichols Arboretum, Kelsey Museum of Archeology and even the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, all of which are perfect spots for a picture-perfect family outing.

To see the set of cities that qualified for the next 10 positions, take a spin on the carousel below by clicking the arrows on the slideshow:

Methodology

The Most Family-Friendly Cities for Renters ranking was compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the United States.

We only considered cities as “suitable candidates for most family-friendly cities” if they had an apartment stock of at least 10,000 apartment units. Cities with lower apartment stocks were excluded. A total of 136 cities were included in the ranking.

To determine the best cities for renters with families, the RentCafe analytics team used a composite index to compare cities across three main categories: Cost of Living & Housing; Local Economy; and Quality of Life.

The three main categories were compiled from 25 relevant metrics. Each metric received a score based on a minimum and maximum value multiplied by the metric’s weight.

To create the categories index, the process of ranking was repeated and then the results were multiplied by each category’s overall weight.

Data from Yardi Matrix (a RentCafe sister division) covered apartment buildings with 50 units or more. All other sources used are cited below.

Ranking Metrics & Data Sources:

Category 1: Housing & Cost of Living, Category Weight: 50%

1. Cost of living and housing: Weight: 30%; Source: The Cost of Living Index
2. Apartment average size: Weight: 5%; Source: Yardi Matrix, average size of all inventory, excluding affordable apartments
3. Apartment occupancy: Weight: 2.5%; Source: Yardi Matrix
4. Share of new apartments: Weight: 2.5%; Source: Yardi Matrix
5. Share of renter-occupied households: Weight: 5%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2021 Five-Year Estimates
6. Upsize to an extra bedroom cost: Weight: 10%; Source: RentCafe Market Snapshot
7. Applicants per vacant unit: Weight: 2.5%; Source: 2020 (year average) RentCafe Competitivity Report
8. Lease Renewal Rate: Weight: 2.5%; Source: 2020 (year average) RentCafe Competitivity Report
9. Share of family apartments: Weight: 20%; Source: Yardi Matrix
10. Cost for childcare services: Weight: 15%; Source: EPI’s Family Budget Calculator
11. Share of Renter Households with Children: Weight: 5%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates

Category 2: Local Economy, Category Weight: 30%

1. Unemployment rate: Weight: 25%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates
2. Share of population with high-education degrees: Weight: 30%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates
3. Renter household median income: Weight: 25%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates
4. Job growth: Weight: 10%; Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
5. Number of business applications: Weight: 10%; Source: Bureau of Census - Business Formation Statistics

Category 3: Quality of Life, Category Weight: 20%

1. Apartments in top locations: Weight: 25%; Source: Yardi Matrix
2. Average school rating: Weight: 25%; Source: GreatSchools
3. Annual delay per car commuter: Weight: 2.5%; Source: Texas Transportation Institute
4. Share of car users: Weight: 2.5%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates
5. Natural amenity rank: Weight: 2.5%; Source: Economic Research Service - Department of Agriculture
6. Days with good air quality: Weight: 2.5%; Source: EPA Air Quality
7. Child Enrolment Rate: Weight: 15%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates
8. Number of married renters with children: Weight: 10%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates
9. Children below the poverty line: Weight: 15%; Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2020 Five-Year Estimates

Fair use and redistribution

We encourage you and freely grant you permission to reuse, host, or repost the research, graphics, and images presented in this article. When doing so, we ask that you credit our research by linking to RentCafe.com or this page, so that your readers can learn more about this project, the research behind it and its methodology. For more in-depth, customized data, please contact us at media@rentcafe.com.