Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Decatur’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.
"Decatur renters expressed general dissatisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "Some categories received average scores, and many received below average scores."
Key findings in Decatur include the following:
- Decatur renters gave their city an F overall.
- The highest-rated categories for Decatur were affordability and state and local taxes, which both received B grades.
- The areas of concern to Decatur renters are recreational activities (D) and commute time (F).
- Decatur did relatively poorly compared to other cities in Georgia, including Atlanta (B), Lawrenceville (A-) and Athens (B).
- Decatur did relatively poorly compared to other cities nationwide, including Miami, FL (C+), New York, NY (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:
- "It’s very cosmopolitan, with great food and retailers, yet a big suburban setting." – Anon.
- "Decatur is extremely walkable and so safe! There are many cute coffee shops and cocktail bars. Really something for everyone!" – Lauren H.
- "There are two different sides of Decatur, east or west of Ponce de Leon. West of Ponce features new shopping centers, night life, and a mix of new and older homes and apartments. Near a good university and very cosmopolitan. East of Ponce is less diverse and has older housing, but is close to expressways and public transportation." – Imogene H.
- "I live in a decent neighborhood with friendly neighbors, but I don’t care for the schools or the traffic." – Raquel T.
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.
