Housing Markets To Avoid: 10 Worst Cities for Renters

Unfortunately for renters, the price of rent has been increasing at a rate that has far outpaced inflation — typical rent prices increased by 35.7% from December 2018 to December 2023, according to the Zillow Observed Rent Index. With rent prices soaring, it’s no wonder that many residents are now “rent-burdened,” defined as having to pay more than 30% of their income to rent.

The affordability of rent is an important factor when considering where to live — and where not to live — but there are other conditions that renters should pay attention to. To find the worst cities for renters, USA Today looked at factors including city amenities, housing inventory and availability and crime statistics, in addition to affordability.

Based on that analysis, these 10 cities should be avoided if you are a renter.

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 61.9%
• Typical rent: $2,122
• Percent of rentals vacant: 0.8%
• Regional price parity: 106.4*
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 24.0

*Regional Price Parity is the difference compared to the national average (100).

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 58.9%
• Typical rent: $2,478
• Percent of rentals vacant: 2.2%
• Regional price parity: 112.6
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 32.0

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 55.7%
• Typical rent: $2,561
• Percent of rentals vacant: 1.4%
• Regional price parity: 117.9
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 40.6

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 67.1%
• Typical rent: $2,523
• Percent of rentals vacant: 1.8%
• Regional price parity: 114.5
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 22.8

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 55.3%
• Typical rent: $2,633
• Percent of rentals vacant: 1.7%
• Regional price parity: 117.9
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 45.1

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 58.5%
• Typical rent: $2,671
• Percent of rentals vacant: 5.1%
• Regional price parity: 113.1
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 24.1

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 64.2%
• Typical rent: $2,863
• Percent of rentals vacant: 5.8%
• Regional price parity: 117.9
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 31.7

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 64.2%
• Typical rent: $2,893
• Percent of rentals vacant: 2.7%
• Regional price parity: 114.5
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 24.0

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 62.1%
• Typical rent: $2,764
• Percent of rentals vacant: 3.6%
• Regional price parity: 113.1
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 18.5

• Percentage of rent-burdened renters: 78.8%
• Typical rent: $2,682
• Percent of rentals vacant: 3.8%
• Regional price parity: 106.4
• Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 19.0

Data is sourced from USA Today and is accurate as of Feb. 9, 2024.