Looking for a place to rent but want to make sure you get the best bang for your buck? All while ensuring that your prospective property meets certain requirements, like having a swift deposit return time, a fair deposit amount, and strong repair policies?

Well, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to, and found the 10 most renter-friendly states in the US. Using reliable sources from government websites, plus data from our own archives, we analyzed nine different data points for all 50 US states and gave each one a score out of 50 for each area. Overall, the highest-scoring location was Massachusetts, making it the most renter-friendly.

But, if the state in New England is too far from home, there are plenty of other places with a positive renting reputation. From Minnesota to Arizona, and Iowa to Oregon, let’s find the best renting location for you…

Top 10 Tenant-Friendly States

Who made it onto the most renter-friendly US state list? Just a heads up, our research actually included the 25 best states to rent in, but we decided to zoom in on the top 10 due to their scoring results. Don’t worry though, we’ve dropped the last 15 at the end for you to check out.

1. Massachusetts

Despite Massachusetts being the sixth-smallest state by land area, it comes in first for being the best place to rent. This is for a multitude of reasons. For example, Massachusetts has a large number of rental properties available and also has strict landlord requirements and laws.

The state also ranked highest for termination notice for violations, giving the tenant 14 days to pay rent or move before the landlord can file for eviction.

In terms of lifestyle, Massachusetts is probably most famous for its wide choice of colleges and universities, notably the prestigious Harvard University.

Massachusetts also has a reputation for political and social progressivism and cultural diversity, which is why it’s a perfect place to live for those looking to improve their quality of life.

Plus, the state has great healthcare, an impressive job market, and is a hub of opportunity. In terms of scenery, the state boasts some stunning beaches and incredible mountains and valleys thanks to its New England position.

2. Connecticut

Neighboring Massachusetts and located in southern New England is Connecticut – the state that had the second least eviction notices and ranked number two for its excellent repair policies.

Not only is it the second-best renter-friendly state, but it’s also a favorite for those who consider outstanding nature a non-negotiable. Nearly 60% of Connecticut is covered in woodland, but the state also has pristine lakes and idyllic beaches.

Elsewhere, it’s got one of the highest quality of life rankings in the US and low crime rates, which no doubt contributes to the former. In terms of education, Connecticut has highly ranked institutions, with high schools and college graduation rates being higher than average.

3. Rhode Island

Up next is Rhode Island, which is also referred to as the ‘Ocean State’ thanks to its 640 km of coastline. The state is mostly known for its beaches, sailing, seafood, and picturesque coastal towns.

Like Connecticut, Rhode Island had a lower number of eviction notice downloads, with only one being reported in 2023. It also came in third for the amount of deposit needed, with tenants only being required to pay one month in advance.

Despite being the smallest state in the US, Rhode Island has a lot more to offer, including a rich art history. The state is home to Providence, aka ‘The Creative Capital,’ where you’ll find a slew of artsy hangouts.

At its core, life in Rhode Island is laid back and easy. It’s the perfect location for those who are seeking a unique coastal lifestyle but still want access to larger cities and bustling culture.

4. Minnesota

Minnesota is known as the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ because of its 14,000+ bodies of fresh water. Renting-wise, it’s also a land that’s ideal to set up roots in due to its eight landlord-tenant laws and its generous – and longer – notice period than other states.

The state borders Canada, and due to its geographical location, it can get pretty cold in winter. But, this makes it perfect for a thriving ice hockey scene, plus the ideal destination for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and other snow sports.

However, there’s also plenty of farmland, prairies, and forests. In terms of being welcoming, the state has been dubbed ‘Minnesota Nice’ due to its friendly residents.

Meanwhile – as well as ranking on the renter-friendly list – Minnesota was also named in the top 10 best US states to live in, according to WalletHub. This was due to its high quality of life thanks to its excellent healthcare system, quality education, a strong sense of community, and, of course, its natural beauty.

5. New York

You might be surprised to find New York so high up on the renter-friendly list, considering it’s one of the most famous locations in the world.

But with a good amount of properties available to rent, plus a quick turnaround time of 14 days in terms of deposit refunds, New York has proved itself as an all-rounder when looking for a place to live.

Home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks like Times Square, Central Park, Niagara Falls, and Grand Central Terminal, New York State also offers its residents a myriad of job and career opportunities in almost any sector.

In terms of leisure activities, it ticks all the boxes, with award-winning theaters, restaurants, museums, parks, and an abundance of cultural activities right on your doorstep.

For those seeking a more suburban lifestyle but still want links to the Big Apple, New York State is obviously ideal. This is because it’s got plenty of affordable housing and family-friendly neighborhoods.

6. Oregon

Oregon scored the highest out of all the states for the number of landlord requirements and laws, giving the location legitimacy in terms of renting. The state also ranked well for rent control laws, coming in second just short of California.

But a positive renting reputation isn’t Oregon’s only great asset – it’s also a unique state that’s often defined by the contrasting landscapes. From its dramatic canyons to the snow-dusted mountains, its rugged coastline and lush valleys, Oregon is also home to some impressive beaches, lively cities, and charming towns.

Nature aside, the state has a strong, thriving economy and is home to a slew of different industries, including education, technology, and healthcare. Oregon has a relatively low unemployment rate coupled with a median household income which is a little higher than the national average.

In terms of politics and social policies, the state is known for being very progressive, which, to many, is an important aspect when considering where to live. Another fun fact about Oregon is that it’s slightly larger than the United Kingdom, so you’ll never run out of places to explore.

7. South Dakota

Located in the North Central region of the US, South Dakota is part of the Great Plains. The state is named after the Dakota Sioux tribe, which makes up a large chunk of the population.

South Dakota is considered to be the happiest state in North America because of its incredibly strong economy. This makes it a perfect place for start-ups, as small businesses are given the opportunity and resources to grow.

Residents also find South Dakota a great place to live because of its rental requirements. Not only does the state provide a fair deposit return time (14 days if there are no deductions, 45 days if there are deductions), but the rent is extremely affordable too. With an average monthly charge of $761 against an average monthly wage of $4,158, South Dakota’s rent prices as a % of income equate to 18.30%.

There are also some pretty impressive landmarks all over the state, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, and the Missouri River.

8. Arizona

Of course, Arizona is known as the ‘Grand Canyon State.’ Its most famous and iconic feature is the Grand Canyon, after all.

The state has plenty of other cultural and natural landmarks to explore, which means residents will be in the vicinity of the red rocks of Sedona, the Hoover Dam, the Saguaro cactus, panoramic desert landscapes, and the Native American culture.

Renting-wise, South Dakota made it onto the list for a number of reasons, including its deposit return time of 14 days if there are no deductions, or 45 days if there are deductions, _and _the low amount of deposit needed. Tenants will only need to pay their landlords one month’s rent in advance, leading South Dakota to sit just below Rhode Island.

The state is notorious for its hot and dry climate, so for those who love basking in the sun, Arizona has more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Due to the above reasons – from Arizona’s natural beauty, warm climate, and plenty of recreational activities – many people find the location an ideal state to set up roots.

Plus, because Arizona borders Mexico, plenty of Americans visit the country for weekend trips and other leisure activities. Arizona’s geographical location makes it pretty easy to enjoy Mexico’s culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, whether for a short getaway or a longer holiday.

9. Iowa

Tradition says that ‘Iowa’ in the Native American tongue means ‘Beautiful Land.’ According to reports, this phrase was being used to describe the mid-western state from as early as the mid-nineteenth century.

So, the fact that the state is in the top 10 renter-friendly list is only an added benefit. In fact, there are multiple benefits to renting in Iowa – the first being that the average rent price is $806 while the average monthly income is $4,460. Meanwhile, in 2023, there were only five eviction notice downloads recorded.

Residents of Iowa will tell you that there are a lot of reasons to love the state, from its wide-open spaces, unique cuisine, friendly communities, and recreational activities. In Iowa, you’ll find plenty of natural beauty, including breathtaking rivers and lakes, rolling hills, and sprawling prairies.

Meanwhile, it has a low employment rate, is one of the top educational performers in terms of schools and universities, and has a diversified economy thanks to finance, manufacturing, biotechnology, agricultural, and insurance industries.

10. Nebraska

Nebraska is another model state to rent in thanks to its short deposit return time (14 days after the tenant moves out) and the deposit amount needed: one month’s rent, excluding pet fees.

Should you be considering moving to Nebraska, there are a few things you should know about the state and what it’s most famous for. See: corn and its football team, The Cornhuskers. Hence, it earned the nickname ‘Cornhusker State.’

When looking at quality of life, Nebraska has a lot to offer. Lincoln, its capital, is a vibrant university town and the base of the sports team, which was founded 134 years ago.

The state has a vast agricultural landscape and also encompasses the prairies of the Great Plains, like its neighboring state, South Dakota. In Nebraska, you’ll find a combination of job opportunities, affordability, quality education, cultural richness, and friendly residents who will be ready to welcome you with a warm smile.

The other states that made it onto the renter-friendly list are:

• North Dakota
• Kansas
• Maine
• Wisconsin
• Pennsylvania
• Alabama
• Washington
• New Mexico
• Colorado
• New Jersey
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• Ohio
• North Carolina
• Tennessee

So, where will you set down your renting roots?

What data areas were used to calculate the scores?

The nine data areas that we used to calculate the scores were as follows. Also included is how each state ranked, so depending on what you value the most, you can make a more informed renting decision.

No. rental properties available per capita

(The higher the number, the better the score)
Top 5 states: Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona.

Rent prices as a % of income

(The lower the number, the better the score)
Top 5 states: Ohio, North Dakota, West Virginia, Iowa and Kentucky.

Eviction notices by state

(A lower number of evictions meant a better score)
Top 5 states: North Dakota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Iowa.

Deposit amount needed

(A lower deposit needed meant a better score)
Top 5 states: Alabama, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Hawaii.

Deposit return time

(The shorter the deposit return time, the better the score)
Top 5 states: Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, New York and South Dakota.

Repair policies

(The stronger the repair policies were, and if the state allowed the use of the repair and deduct policy, the better the score)
Top 5 states: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii and Nevada.

Landlord requirements/laws

(The more laws for landlords, the better the score)
Top 5 states: Oregon, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada and California.

Rent control laws

(States with rent control received a higher score, those without a lower score)
Top 5 states: California, Oregon, Maine, Maryland and New Jersey.

Termination notice for violations

(The longer the notice period the higher the score)
Top 5 states: Massachusetts, Minnesota, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.

Read the original article here: https://www.lawdistrict.com/articles/most-renter-friendly-us-states