Renters Flock to DC, But the Midwest Is Closing the Gap

The Big Picture

For the fifth consecutive month, Washington, DC, holds the #1 spot in RentCafe’s Rental Activity Report, reaffirming its status as the most desirable rental market in the US. While YoY metrics show a slight dip in page views (-9%) and saved searches (-8%), the city recorded a 66% spike in favorited listings, suggesting that renters are highly selective and increasingly focused in their apartment searches.

Despite modest declines in some online engagement metrics, D.C. continues to attract strong interest from renters in nearby cities such as Baltimore, New York City, and Boston, as well as from local residents looking to upgrade or relocate within the metro area.

Midwest Joins the Spotlight

One of the most notable developments in this month’s report is that the Midwest has pulled even with the South as the most active region for rental searches. Each now claims 11 cities in the top 30, showing that renters are increasingly looking beyond coastal metros in favor of cities with strong job markets and more affordable rents.

The Midwest’s momentum is clear in the top 10 rankings, which feature seven Midwestern cities, including:

• Cincinnati (#2) – up two spots thanks to a 39% increase in available listings and a modest 14% uptick in listings favorited.
• Chicago (#3) jumped nine places even as listings decreased by 10%, signaling strong demand and competition.
• Kansas City, MO (#4) – up two ranks amid a 23% year-over-year increase in favorited listings.
• Columbus, OH (#6) – rising fast despite a 13% decline in apartment availability, indicating a tightening market.
  

Other Midwestern cities in the top 30 include Minneapolis (#7), Overland Park, KS (#8), St. Paul, MN (#9), Cleveland (#15), Grand Rapids, MI (#18), Indianapolis (#19), and Omaha, NE (#26).

Southern Cities Stay Competitive But Show Slower Growth

While the South remains dominant in rental demand, some of its leading cities are showing signs of softening. Atlanta, for example, slid to #5 from #2 last month, as saved searches and favorited listings fell sharply, down 55% and 44%, respectively.

Still, Southern markets remain resilient. Notable mentions include:

• St. Petersburg, FL (#11) and Tampa, FL (#12) benefited from solid demand and increased page views.
• Augusta, GA (#16) and Louisville, KY (#17) saw dramatic increases in favorited listings, up 94% and 119%, respectively.
• Richmond, VA (#20), Knoxville, TN (#23), Virginia Beach, VA (#27), Fort Lauderdale, FL (#29), and Baltimore, MD (#30) round out the region’s performance this month.
  

West Coast Resurgence: San Jose and Stockton Skyrocket

After lagging behind earlier this year, the West showed signs of life in February, with six cities making the top 30 — up from just four in January. The biggest story here is San Jose, CA, which leapt 67 positions to rank #21 nationally, partly thanks to a marked increase in favored listings.

Stockton, CA, also made a surprise appearance, climbing 55 spots to #28, while Sacramento (#22) and Portland, OR (#10) held strong. Portland rejoined the top 10 for the first time in over a year, despite a 26% decline in saved searches — suggesting renters there are acting quickly and with fewer comparisons.

Los Angeles (#13) and Las Vegas (#14) also held their ground, continuing to draw interest from renters within and outside their metro areas.

Northeast Rebounds With The Bronx and Philadelphia

After months of a single-city presence, the Northeast finally placed two cities in the top 30:

• The Bronx, NY (#24) soared 57 spots, indicating a surge in interest for the New York borough despite lower engagement in saved searches and favorites.
• Philadelphia (#25) followed closely, marking a return to form for a city that has traditionally hovered near the top 30.

This uptick reflects a broader interest in urban East Coast markets that offer relative affordability and access to larger employment hubs.

The Newcomers: Cities to Watch

February’s report welcomed five new cities to the top 30, many of which made dramatic leaps:

• San Jose, CA (#21) – +67 spots
• The Bronx, NY (#24) – +57 spots
• Stockton, CA (#28) – +55 spots
• Fort Lauderdale, FL (#29) – +4 spots
• Baltimore, MD (#30) – +1 spot

These newcomers suggest shifting renter priorities, particularly in emerging West Coast metros and outer boroughs of major cities. Limited inventory and higher competition in traditional hotspots may be pushing renters to consider alternative markets with better availability and competitive pricing.

Renters Are More Strategic, and the Midwest Is Rising

The February 2025 Rental Activity Report shows a more deliberate and strategic approach from renters, who favor listings at higher rates and act faster to lock down options — even as overall page views and searches decline in many markets.

The Midwest’s tie with the South signals a clear shift in renter priorities, as affordability, livability, and job access increasingly drive search behavior. Meanwhile, smaller and secondary cities — from San Jose to the Bronx — are proving their appeal amid growing inventory pressures in larger metros.

With spring leasing season just around the corner, rental activity is expected to ramp up further, setting the stage for more competition and perhaps even more surprises in the months ahead.