Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Chicago’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.
"Chicago renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "However, ratings varied greatly across different categories, indicating that even though renters love Chicago, some aspects can be better."
Key Findings in Chicago include the following:
- Chicago renters gave their city a B- overall.
- The highest-rated categories for Chicago were public transit and social life, which received grades of A+ and B+, respectively.
- The areas of concern to Chicago renters are quality of local schools and state and local taxes, which both received F grades.
- Chicago millennials are moderately satisfied with their city, giving it an overall rating of B-, while renters who are parents were less satisfied, giving it an F grade.
- Chicago earned similar scores compared to other nearby cities like Milwaukee (B-) and Kansas City (B), but earned higher marks than Detroit (F) and Indianapolis (C+).
- Chicago did relatively well compared to similar cities nationwide, including Los Angeles (C+), Columbus (C+) and Baltimore (C).
- 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:
- "There’s always something to do and no need to drive anywhere. There are lots of great people and tons of jobs." -Matthew H.
- "I love all of the beautiful scenery, food, and activities whether you’re single or have a family. But the taxes and cost of living is way too high here." -Angela O.
- "Love the events, downtown area, parks, and nightlife, but I hate the crime." -Anon.
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.
