Dallas Suburb Named the Best City in the U.S. for Renters

We love Dallas, but there are significant reasons why so many people are making their way to the northern suburbs these days. One recent study points to several key factors when naming McKinney the best place for renters in North Texas and throughout the United States.

In a study published by apartment search website RentCafe, McKinney landed the top spot in the nation, beating out Sarasota, Florida. RentCafe noted that McKinney notched high scores for affordability and quality of life, two of the key areas considered.

“Specifically, the city boasts a lower-than-average cost of living, a large share of high-end apartments, and consistent job growth, making it an ideal choice for renters seeking a small-town atmosphere without sacrificing the perks of a larger urban center,” the report read.

It’s likely no surprise to you to see one of the fast-expanding northern locales land so high on a list like this. McKinney, Plano and Frisco often pop up high on lists that rank cities for everything from remote working to cost of living. And indeed, Plano comes in at No. 11 on the RentCafe list, well ahead of Denton at No. 33, and Fort Worth at No. 38.


But the economics of living in McKinney aren't solely responsible for its lofty spot.

“McKinney also stands out for its excellent schools and desirable apartment locations,” the RentCadfe report states. “On top of that, renters can enjoy more than 40 parks; scenic hike-and-bike trails; and natural retreats, like Towne Lake. Altogether, McKinney strikes the perfect balance between affordability and suburban comfort, thereby earning its place as the best city for renters in 2025.”

Among the 20 measures across 150 cities factored into the rankings, RentCafe looked at average apartment size, occupancy rate, market competitiveness, unemployment rate, renter income growth, average school quality and average air quality. Southern states, from Texas to North Carolina, dominated the RentCafe rankings, with Western states nearly being shut out and states north of the Mason-Dixon Line completely shut out of the top 50.

McKinney might be getting used to publicity focusing on its up-and-coming status. Recent months have welcomed headlines involving massive new projects, including a giant outdoor concert arena and one of the world's largest surfing wave pool resorts, projects that to some might often seem more suited to Dallas or Fort Worth proper.

McKinney reaching No. 1 is also significant in that last year, RentCafe listed it as merely the fourth best city for renters in the U.S. So, how’s that for growth?

But before we sound like we’re down on Dallas as a renter’s paradise, we’d be remiss for not pointing out that Big D came in at No. 57 on the list. It’s not great, but hey, it’s at least ahead of Amarillo and Houston.