Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Norfolk’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.
"Norfolk renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "They gave most categories near average scores."
Key findings in Norfolk include the following:
- Norfolk renters gave their city a B overall.
- The highest-rated categories for Norfolk were social life (A-) and recreational activities (B+).
- The areas of concern to Norfolk renters are jobs and career opportunities and safety and low crime rate, which both received D grades.
- Norfolk did relatively poorly compared to other Virginia cities, including Virginia Beach (A-), Arlington (A) and Alexandria (A).
- Norfolk did relatively poorly compared to other Southern cities, including Nashville, TN (A-), Charlotte, NC (A-) and Savannah, GA (B+).
- Norfolk earned similar scores to other cities nationwide, including Kansas City, MO (B), Atlanta, GA (B) and Portland, OR (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:
- "Great places to eat and lots of things to do. Friendly people. But traffic is terrible!" – Taylor L.
- "I love the parks and the options to go out and do things. But I’m unsatisfied with the cost of living." – Kelsey J.
- "The child-friendly activities offered in the area are wonderful. The traffic from the base is to be expected, but it can be frustrating." – Anon.
- "I love the downtown area of Norfolk, but the crime has overshadowed my perception of the city." – Kayla L.
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.