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It begs the question: Where are the best bargains for renters?
On the flipside, which cities feature the highest rents?
Worst Metro Areas for Renters on a Budget
Dont expect many surprises here.
These cities come with notoriously high price tags, given their high demand and limited housing supply.
New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York-New Jersey
Everyone knows The Big Apple comes with big rents.
But many dont realize just how hard it is to find a livable apartment thats anything close to affordable.
In New York, the average rent is $3,350.
However, both of those are still above the national average of $2,072.
On the plus side, you may be able to get by without a car.
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California
Theres a lot to like about the Bay Area.
It offers rich culture and history, access to world famous wine regions, and nearby hiking and skiing.
All of that comes with a huge price tag, however.
The average rent in San Francisco is $3,200.
And its no wonder why many leave, searching for more affordability elsewhere.
Average rent in San Diego is $3,000.
In Chula Vista, its even higher at $3,179.
And Carlsbads average rent comes in at a whopping $4,150.
San Joses average rent is $2,950.
Sunnyvales is slightly higher at $3,048, and Santa Claras is even higher at $3,272.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California
Plenty of people dream of the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles.
When they get there, they face the harsh reality of high rents.
Long Beach offers some relief with a lower $2,100.
Best Metro Areas for Renters on a Budget
Which major cities offer the best deals for renters?
All of the following metro areas boast a larger population and significant urban amenities.
Better yet, all let you live on a fraction of the rents in the metro areas above.
Cleveland
The former Rust Belt cities have experienced slower population growth than hot markets.
That has kept rents low, even as these cities have quietly grown.
The average rent in Cleveland is just $1,200.
As a real estate investor, Jake Wells ofLRT Offerssees the changes firsthand.
Yet rents remain modest, despite the metro population over 2 million.
Cincinnati has an average rent of $1,350.
Oklahoma City
Midwestern hubs like Oklahoma City have modernized dramatically over the last two decades.
However, rents have remained affordable at an average of $1,350.
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, New York
Buffalo boasts the oldest urban park system in the United States.
Plus, residents enjoy waterfront living on Lake Erie and front-door access to Niagara Falls and Canada.
The average rent in Buffalo is just $1,400, while in Cheektowaga, its $1,126.
The average rent in Pittsburgh is $1,475.
You dont need to break the bank to make it live in a major city.
But you may need to consider more affordable cities to get the best bang for your buck.
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