These are the best — and worst — cities for renters in California, Forbes says. Here’s why
California is home to five of the worst cities for renters in the nation, according to Forbes Advisor.
The editorial financial research team ranked the 95 most populous cities in the United States based on factors including affordability, availability and median rental prices.
Lincoln, Nebraska, ranked as the best city for renters in the country in Forbes Advisor’s report, published June 7. The Midwestern city earned an overall score of 100 out of 100.
The city ranked fifth best for median monthly rent price and fourth best for the number of available rentals per 100,000 households.
It also landed in the top 10 of U.S. cities with the best unemployment rates and lowest average monthly prices per square foot.
Newark, New Jersey, was the worst city for renters in the country, Forbes Advisor said, with an overall score of 0 out of 100.
The city ranked as the worst for rental price changes, amenities and availability with only 8.5 rentals available per 100,000 residents.
Here’s how other U.S. cities — including those in California — scored.
Which California city is the best for renters?
As rent prices fall in California, it is considered cheaper for individuals to rent than to buy a home.
“With home prices across the country up 6.1% in April 2024 compared to April 2023, it’s not surprising ... that 34% of renters never plan to buy,” Forbes Advisor said in its June 7 report.
No California cities were among the top 10 best cities for renters in the United States, Forbes Advisor said.
Fresno was the highest ranked California city on the list, tying with Mesa, Arizona, for No. 52.
The Central Valley earned an overall score of 56.09 out of 100 from Forbes Advisor.
Based on the most recent data collected, the median monthly rent in Fresno was $1,350, an average of $1.72 per square foot.
There were approximately 217 available rentals per 100,000 households.
Only 8.5% of rentals allowed pets, 48.1% had air conditioning, 45.3% had on-site parking and 19% had in-unit laundry areas.
Which U.S. cities are the best for renters?
According to Forbes Advisor, these were the 10 best cities for renters in the United States:
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Austin, Texas
- Oklahoma City
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Durham, North Carolina
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Tucson, Arizona
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Where do other California cities rank?
Five of the 10 worst cities for renters in the nation are in California, according to Forbes Advisor.
Long Beach ranked second worst, with a score of 7.27 out of 100.
The city was among the worst U.S. spots for affordability, availability and amenities. It also scored poorly for its percentage of non-apartment rental properties and the percentage of units with air conditioning.
Anaheim was the fourth worst city for renters in the nation, with an overall score of 13.54 out of 100.
The city had low ratings for rental price changes, the percentage of tenants’ income that went toward rent and the number of available rental units per 100,000 households.
Forbes Advisor ranked Oakland as the fifth worst city for renters. It earned a score of 19.79 out of 100.
The city was in the bottom 10 of cities due to the average monthly price per square foot, the property and violent crime rates per 1,000 residents and the percentage of units that allow pets, units with air conditioning and non-apartment rentals.
San Francisco was the seventh worst city on the list, with a score of 21.47 out of 100.
Based on the most recent data collected, the median monthly rent in San Francisco is $3,295, averaging about $4.45 per square foot.
There were approximately 155 available rentals per 100,000 households.
Only 22.3% of rentals allow pets, 10.7% have air conditioning, 38% have on-site parking and 38.3% have in-unit laundry areas.
Irvine ranked as the ninth worst city for renters, earning an overall score of 25.55.
The median monthly rent in Irvine was $4,600, averaging about $3.42 per square foot. There were approximately 12 available rentals per 100,000 households.
Only 22.6% of rentals allowed pets, 93.4% had air conditioning, 86.7% had on-site parking and 76.1% had in-unit laundry areas.
Which U.S. cities are the worst for renters?
According to Forbes Advisor, these were the 10 worst cities for renters in the United States:
- Newark, New Jersey
- Long Beach
- New York City
- Anaheim
- Oakland
- Boston
- San Francisco
- Jersey City, New Jersey
- Irvine
- Aurora, Colorado
How did Forbes Advisor come up with its rankings?
To identify the best and worst cities for renters, Forbes Advisor, an editorial financial research team, analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Neighborhood Scout, Trust for Public Lands and Zillow.
The team ranked the 95 most populous U.S. cities based on affordability, availability, amenities, rent-to-income ratios, median rental prices, lifestyle and safety.
This story was originally published June 13, 2024 at 2:09 PM with the headline "These are the best — and worst — cities for renters in California, Forbes says. Here’s why."
