When it comes to capturing the most renter engagement, Washington, D.C., is at the top of the list for the first half of 2025, according to RentCafe.com’s midyear report.
To uncover where renter interest has been strongest so far this year, RentCafe.com analyzed traffic data from its listings platform, including millions of page views, saved searches, and favorited listings.
With a steady stream of engagement, Washington, D.C., increased five spots year over year. It ranked first in saved searches on RentCafe.com, even with a 5% year-over-year dip, indicating sustained renter interest. In addition, page views and listings were both up 5% and 15%, respectively. Much of the online activity came from the nearby Northern Virginia suburb of Reston, New York City, and Baltimore. RentCafe.com touted a strong job market, walkable neighborhoods, and high-quality transit options for the nation’s capital.
Kansas City, Missouri, jumped 70 spots year over year to No. 2. RentCafe.com noted the area’s affordability, emerging job market, and revitalized downtown as pluses for renters. Page views increased 15%, favorited listings were up 34%, and saved searches rose 6% year over year. Most online interest came from local renters and the Overland Park, Kansas, suburb as well as Chicago and Denver.
Also known for affordability and livability, Cincinnati moved up 10 spots to No. 3. Despite a 26% drop in saved searches, page views increased 3% year over year, while favorited listings soared 40%. According to RentCafe.com, most of the online activity came from the nearby suburb of Forest Park, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Chicago.
Other key findings from the midyear report include:
• The South was most in demand for renters in the first half of the year, claiming 14 of the top 30 most sought-after markets. The Midwest had nine on the list, followed by the West with six and the Northeast with just one;
• Fifteen new cities, many in the South and Midwest, moved into the top 30. For example, Las Vegas jumped 86 spots to No. 9; Amarillo, Texas, skyrocketed 132 spots to No. 15; and Florida’s Fort Lauderdale moved 41 spots to No. 20; and
• The top three cities for renter engagement in the first half of 2024 were Minneapolis, Overland Park, and Atlanta. This year, they fell out of the top three, with Minneapolis slipping to fourth, Atlanta sliding to fifth, and Overland Park dropping out of the top tier.
