Overview of Findings

Apartment List has released Raleigh’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.

"Raleigh renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "They gave most categories above average scores."

Key findings in Raleigh include the following:

• Raleigh renters gave their city an A overall.
• The highest-rated categories for Raleigh were jobs and career opportunities, safety and crime rate, social life, recreational activities, and pet-friendliness, which all received A+ grades.
• The area of concern to Raleigh renters is public transit (D).
• Millennial renters are very satisfied with their city, giving it an A.
• Raleigh earned similar scores to other cities in North Carolina, including Charlotte (A-), Greensboro (A-) and Asheville (A).
• Raleigh did relatively well compared to similar cities nationwide, including Chicago, IL (B-), Philadelphia, PA (C+) and Seattle, WA (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:

• "All the nice things a big city would have with much less of the bad stuff." – Anon.
• "Such a thriving city! There are so many weekend events going on like the flea market, a great farmers’ market and tons of neat breweries. Very pet-friendly. It is constantly evolving and a really great community to be part of." – Caitlin
• "Still somewhat a small town but now a large city. Raleigh favors the young. More cultural diversity and things to do but also more expense. The lack of affordable housing is bad." – Margaret J.
• "Raleigh is accepting, full of amazing culinary experiences, lots of night life, breweries and pet-friendly activities. But finding an apartment inside the city at a reasonable price can be tough." – Katie S.

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.