This month, RentCafe has released its 2025 list of the best places for renters to live in the nation.
The list examines factors like affordability, job opportunities, and a “strong sense of community” to highlight the most desirable areas for renters across 150 U.S. cities.
Overall, the study found that south made up the top 10 best cities this year, with McKinney, Texas, leading the pack.
“This growing interest is reflected in the region’s consistently high rankings in key categories, like cost of living and housing and local economy, with nearly all leading cities security spots within the top 30 for these criteria,” the study reads.
[BELOW: These are the ‘coolest’ housing markets in the nation, study finds]
The No. 2 city on this list, though, is actually located in Florida — Sarasota, along the state’s Gulf Coast.
The “Circus City” largely earned its marks thanks to its high performance in terms of cost of living and its solid local economy.
“This coastal city is a competitive rental market that offers something for renters of all ages from retirees to remote workers, including a balanced mix of upscale apartments. Sarasota’s diverse economy — supported by major employers like PGT Innovations, Sun Hydraulics, Tropicana Brands Group and Walmart — helps drive steady income growth for residents.
Add to that the city’s beautiful natural surroundings and abundance of outdoor activities, and it’s easy to see why Sarasota continues to rise in the rankings."
RentCafe, "Best Cities for Renters to Live in 2025: Southern Cities Sweep Top 10"
Other featured Florida cities included in this year’s ranking include the following:
- No. 10 — Orlando
- No. 16 — Miami (ranked No. 1 for “Local Economy” category)
- No. 21 — Jacksonville
- No. 22 — Ft. Lauderdale
- No. 31 — Pensacola
- No. 34 — Gainesville
- No. 35 — Tampa
- No. 39 — Tallahassee
- No. 48 — Daytona Beach
Meanwhile, the top 25 cities nationwide on this ranking are as follows: