F
ly south, apartment hunters: a new report has ranked the US's most renter-friendly cities and the South is dominating. The annual RentCafe rankings considered factors like cost of living, local economy, and quality of life to crown McKinney, Texas as the top spot.

    Southern cities swept the top 10 slots, with Texas, Florida, and Georgia taking up a significant share. McKinney's success can be attributed to its strong post-pandemic recovery, increased work-from-home offerings, and "big-city perks in a small-town setting." The city boasts a lower-than-average cost of living, a thriving job market, and plenty of green space.

    Other southern cities like Sarasota, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, also made the top three. Beachy Myrtle Beach took first place for cost of living and housing, while Miami excelled in local economy. Metropolitan Washington, D.C. ranked number one for quality of life for the second year in a row.

    The RentCafe rankings highlighted cities that excel in specific areas, such as Austin's thriving local economy or Wilmington's affordable housing options. Despite their poor overall showing, crowded Northeast and West Coast cities like Philadelphia and Boston remain popular among renters who value cultural and social experiences over affordability.

    Manhattan, on the other hand, ranked last for housing and cost of living due to its eye-watering costs. Brooklyn and Queens also struggled near the bottom of the list. However, New York City still managed to rank fifth for quality of life and seventh for economic benefits.