Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Worcester’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.
"Worcester renters expressed general dissatisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "They gave most categories below average scores."
Key findings in Worcester include the following:
- Worcester renters gave their city an F overall.
- The highest-rated categories for Worcester were public transit (C+) and affordability (C).
- The areas of concern to Worcester renters are commute time, weather, state and local taxes, social life, and pet-friendliness, which all received F grades.
- Worcester did relatively poorly compared to other cities in Massachusetts, including Boston (A) and Cambridge (A+).
- Worcester did relatively poorly compared to other cities nationwide, including New York, NY (C+), Philadelphia, PA (C+) and Los Angeles, CA (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:
- "Close to jobs and other important opportunities. Close commute to everything. But the city is also dirty, dangerous and expensive to live in." – Kayla J.
- "The homes are beautiful but the city lacks charm and shopping opportunities." – Madelyn J.
- "I love being close to everything but hate the traffic congestion." – Theresa F.
- "I love the local restaurants and nightlife but getting around is difficult without a vehicle." – Taylor R.
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.
