Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Mesa’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.
"Mesa renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "Some categories received average scores, and many received below average scores."
Key findings in Mesa include the following:
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Mesa renters gave their city a C+ overall.
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The highest-rated categories for Mesa were weather, affordability, and state and local taxes, which all received B grades.
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The areas of concern for Mesa renters are jobs and career opportunities (F) and social life (D).
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Millennial renters are unsatisfied with their city, giving it an overall rating of C, while renters who are parents are more satisfied, giving it a B.
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Mesa did relatively poorly compared to other cities in Arizona, including Phoenix (B-) and Tempe (A-), but earned higher marks than Tucson (D).
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Mesa did relatively poorly compared to similar cities nationwide, including Denver, CO (B+), Nashville, TN (A-) and Portland, OR (B).
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The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction include Scottsdale, AZ, Irvine, CA, Boulder, CO and Ann Arbor, MI. The lowest rated cities include Tallahassee, FL, Stockton, CA, Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI and Newark, NJ.
Renters say:
- "I love the weather, but I don’t feel safe in my neighborhood." – Amy Z.
- "Easy access to stores. I enjoy the diverse population mix. Great downtown. Lots to do on any given day." – Gail H.
- "The weather is great, the people seem friendly and the cost of living is low. But it can get too hot in the summer and salaries are a little low." – Earl L.
- "I love the weather and the scenery, but I hate the traffic congestion." – Daniel S.
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.
