Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Modesto's results from the first annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. The survey, which drew on responses from over 18,000 renters, provides new insights into what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the 105 million American renters nationwide.
"Modesto scored very low for city satisfaction, ranking it near the bottom decile of our study," says Andrew Tam, Vice President of Data Science at Apartment List. "The US renter population is at its highest level in 20 years, and Modesto renters show particular dissatisfaction with commute quality and access to recreational opportunities."
Key findings in Modesto include the following:
- Renters gave Modesto a D overall, ranking 88th out of 100 cities in our national study.
- Modesto scored slightly above average for confidence in the local economy, earning a B.
- Despite confidence in the economy, only 47% of renters in Modesto have plans for future homeownership which grades out at a D.
- Modesto's top grade was an A- for quality of local schools: 63% of renters report satisfaction for this important category.
- Modesto ranked almost dead last for quality of daily commute with only 40% of renters expressing satisfaction, good enough for an F grade and 99th place in our rankings.
- Among Northern California cities in our study, San Francisco topped the list for overall satisfaction with an A+ followed by Sacramento (A-), San Jose (B+), Hayward (C+), Santa Rosa (C), Vallejo (C), Oakland (C-), and Modesto (D).
- The top rated cities nationwide for city satisfaction were Plano, TX; Boston, MA; Arlington, VA; Austin, TX; and Torrance, CA. The lowest rated cities were Newark, NJ; New Haven, CT; Bridgeport, CT; Hartford, CT; and Columbia, SC.
A detailed report explaining the survey's methodology, analysis, and findings is available upon request. To obtain a copy, please email Andrew Tam, Apartment List's Vice President of Data Science, at andrew@apartmentlist.com.
