Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Saint Paul’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.
"Saint Paul 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 Saint Paul, some aspects can be better."
Key findings in Saint Paul include the following:
- Saint Paul renters gave their city an A overall.
- The highest-rated categories for Saint Paul were safety and low crime rate, quality of local schools, public transit and recreational opportunities, which all received A- grades.
- The areas of concern to Saint Paul renters are weather and pet-friendliness, which both received C+ grades.
- Millennial renters are very satisfied with their city, giving it an overall rating of A-, while renters who are parents are equally satisfied, also giving it an A-.
- Saint Paul earned similar scores to its sister city in Minnesota, Minneapolis.
- Saint Paul did relatively well compared to other Great Lakes cities, including Chicago, IL (B-), Milwaukee, WI (B-) and Detroit, MI (F).
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- Saint Paul did relatively well compared to similar cities nationwide, including Seattle, WA (B+), Denver, CO (B+) and Indianapolis, IN (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:
- "Love that it’s a big city with lots to do but it feels like a small town." – Craig A.
- "Lots of quality parks, community events, and great shops and restaurants. Plus it’s far enough out of downtown that it doesn’t feel crazy, but still close enough to feel connected and have a decent commute." – Callie
- "I love the community feel. I don’t like that there isn’t more affordable housing." – Danielle S.
- "It’s got a little bit of everything. Quick and easy access to major roadways. But it doesn’t always feel safe." – Mai Y.
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.
