Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Seattle’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.
"Seattle renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "With expensive rents in coastal tech hubs, it comes as no surprise that cost of living is a source of dissatisfaction in Seattle."
Key Findings in Seattle include the following:
- Seattle renters gave their city a B+ overall.
- The highest-rated categories for Seattle were jobs and career opportunities, public transit, recreational activities and pet-friendliness, which all earned A grades.
- The area of concern to Seattle renters is affordability, which received an F.
- Seattle did relatively well compared to other cities in Washington, including Spokane (C+), Tacoma (C+) and Vancouver (D).
- Seattle earned similar scores to other tech hubs, including Austin (A-), Denver (B+) and San Francisco (B+).
- The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction included Scottsdale, AZ, Irvine, CA, Boulder, CO and Ann Arbor, MI. The lowest rated cities included Tallahassee, FL, Stockton, CA, Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI and Newark, NJ.
Renters say:
- "I actually like the gray wet weather. The public transportation works for me and I feel safe in Seattle. I also like the library system." –Anon.
- "There are several great parks to go to with your kids, pets, significant other or just for solo alone time. Lincoln park especially disconnects you from the city life." –Karli B.
- "Weather in the winter is miserable and housing is super expensive. The sightseeing and touristy activities are fun and there are cool neighborhoods to explore." –Elizabeth M.
- "I love that the city has access to lakes, mountains, and other outdoor activities nearby (when weather permits)." –Mary 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.
