RentCafe.com has reviewed the online engagement rates for the most dynamic cities of 2024, to see which urban areas were set to become hotspots for new residents and thriving businesses. After analyzing the most popular rental markets each month during the past year, they’ve released a comprehensive view of the last 12 months and a sense of what lies ahead.
After a strong performance in 2024, Minneapolis took the top position as the city to watch in 2025, securing the top spot seven times throughout the past 12 months. Next was Atlanta, the previous number one in RentCafe.com’s previous annual rental activity report. The top five was rounded out with Overland Park, Kansas; Cleveland; and Washington, D.C.
Top 10 Cities to Watch for Rental Activity in 2025
Regional trends over the past 12 months show the Midwest and West as the regions that renters should watch in 2025, with each claiming 10 spots in RentCafe.com’s annual report. For example, Minneapolis; Overland Park, Kansas; Cleveland; Detroit; and Cincinnati highlight the Midwest’s appeal, driven by affordability and growing urban amenities. Similarly, the West has its own standout entries, like Santa Rosa, California, which ranks sixth for offering a mix of scenic charm and urban convenience. In fact, many California cities have risen considerably in the rankings since last year.
At the same time, the South continues to draw substantial renter interest with Atlanta securing the second spot on the rental activity list and Washington, D.C. holding out at the fifth spot. And the Northeast remains a steady presence, with Philadelphia in eighth place and Queens, New York ranking at 28th—its only locations in the top 30.
Minneapolis is Top City for Renters to Watch
- Minneapolis: Mill City experienced a notable 36% increase in page views on RentCafe.com compared to 2023, signaling growing interest among prospective renters. Renters may have favored 13% fewer listings than last year, but the city still witnessed an 8% rise in saved searches, reflecting a consistent demand for housing, and leading to a 16% drop in apartment availability.
- Atlanta: The Big Peach saw a 29% decline in page views compared to 2023 and a 59% drop in saved searches, and renters favorited 48% fewer listings in the last 12 months. Even so, the number of apartments available for rent in the city remained steady, highlighting Atlanta’s enduring appeal, with its booming job market and rich cultural scene.
- Overland Park, Kansas: This Kansas City suburb emerged as a rising star in 2025’s rental market, with page views surging an impressive 48% while saved searches saw a 6% uptick. Renters favored 6% fewer listings, and the city marked a 2% increase in apartment availability, but prospective residents were drawn to this town for its excellent schools, family-friendly amenities, and high quality of life.
- Cleveland: Cleveland experienced a solid 26% increase in page views, underscoring its growing appeal, and renters preferred 7% more listings. Although saved searches decreased by 28%, the 18% drop in apartment availability highlights the rising demand for rental properties and the attraction of an affordable metro (cost of living is 9% lower than the national average).
- Washington, D.C.: Even though page views for the nation’s capital dropped by 3%, favorited properties decreased by 24%, and saved searches declined by 40%, there was an 8% reduction in apartment availability, pointing to high rental activity in this town made attractive by its abundant career opportunities; rich historical character; and eclectic neighborhoods.
- Santa Rosa, California: Santa Rosa experienced a 55% increase in page views along with a spectacular 144-position jump into the top 10. While renters favored 28% fewer listings in 2024, apartment availability decreased by 35%, underscoring high interest.
- Detroit: The Motor City’s listings saw a 49% surge in page views in 2024, landing in the top five most sought-after places seven times in 2024. Renters might have favored 20% fewer listings, and saved searches may have dropped by 11%, but the city saw a 23% drop in apartment availability—a clear indicator of increasing rental activity.
- Philadelphia: Apartment availability in Philadelphia dropped by 9% this past year, reflecting continued demand despite a 21% decline in favorited listings and a 16% decrease in saved searches. But the 42% increase in page views showed the resilience of Philly’s rental market.
- Chicago: Although it experienced a modest, 7% increase in page views, renters favorited 28% fewer listings, as saved searches declined by 33%. Despite these shifts, apartment availability fell by 9%, which demonstrates sustained interest in the Windy City’s rental market.
- Cincinnati: Despite a 19% decline in page views, a 47% drop in favorited listings, and a 54% decrease in saved searches, the home of Skyline Chili had a steady demand in the rental market with available listings dropping by 5%. A cost of living 3% below the national average and an expanding tech industry probably didn’t hurt.
Click here to read more about RentCafe.com’s market snapshot of cities to watch this year.
