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National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
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:
Mesa renters gave their city a C+ overall.
The highest-rated categories for Mesa were weather, affordability, and state and local taxes, which all received B grades.
The areas of concern for Mesa renters are jobs and career opportunities (F) and social life (D).
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.
Mesa did relatively poorly compared to other cities in Arizona, including Phoenix (B-) and Tempe (A-), but earned higher marks than Tucson (D).
Mesa did relatively poorly compared to similar cities nationwide, including Denver, CO (B+), Nashville, TN (A-) and Portland, OR (B).
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:
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.
*Based on base prices that don’t include fees
Leisure World offers resort-style living for active adults 55+ where this established gated community combines extensive recreational amenities with age-restricted housing in eastern Mesa. Residents enjoy championship golf, multiple pools, and organized social activities creating built-in community connections increasingly valued by seniors seeking active retirement environments. Association rules create more regulated experiences than typical rental communities with specific aesthetic standards, but those seeking predictable surroundings appreciate both the maintained facilities and remarkable value compared to similar age-restricted communities in California despite comparable amenities but requiring personal comfort with structured community governance.
Dobson Ranch features established homes surrounding multiple lakes and a golf course in western Mesa. Rental properties often include water views, community pools, and desert-adaptive landscaping throughout this mature planned community. The neighborhood provides excellent access to both Superstition Freeway connections and shopping along Southern Avenue, creating convenient positioning for households working throughout the southeastern Phoenix metropolitan area.
Creative renaissance energizes Downtown Mesa, where historic buildings house a vibrant mix of locally-owned businesses, art galleries, and residential lofts. Residents enjoy the monthly Main Street art walks and convenient light rail access to both Tempe and Phoenix. Though summer heat challenges outdoor activity scheduling, many buildings feature rooftop spaces designed for evening use when temperatures moderate. The neighborhood's continuing evolution has created an authentic urban experience focused on arts and culture, distinguishing it from more commercially oriented developments throughout the Valley of the Sun.
