R
emote work, high home prices, and rising living costs are driving renters out of cities in search of affordable housing options. A study analyzing Census Bureau data found that 203 suburbs surrounding the 20 most populous US metro areas have a majority renter population.

    In five of these metros, suburban rental growth outpaced city growth, with Dallas suburbs leading the way. Frisco, McKinney, and Grand Prairie saw significant increases in renter households, with Frisco adding over 10,200 new renters between 2018 and 2023.

    The study attributed this trend to remote work flexibility, cost of living concerns, and the ability for renters to move without being tied down by high mortgages. Dallas-area suburbs accounted for four of the top five spots in terms of net growth, with Woodbridge, Virginia, a Washington D.C. suburb, rounding out the list.

    Los Angeles suburb Cudahy had the highest percentage of renters at 88.2%, followed closely by several other suburbs with rates above 80%. Fifteen suburbs that previously had homeowner majorities switched to renter-majority populations between 2018 and 2023, largely due to growing renter populations on the East Coast.

    The study suggests that suburban living is no longer exclusive to homeowners, as renters are increasingly drawn to areas offering affordability and flexibility.