Eight Phoenix-area cities among best places to rent

PHOENIX — When it comes to finding a place to rent in the United States, there are apparently few places better to look than the Phoenix area.

According to financial website WalletHub, eight Valley cities were among the best spots in the nation to rent, with Scottsdale topping the list.

“Really high rental affordability,” WalletHub spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez said of why Scottsdale ranked so high. “Typically, people (in Scottsdale) are spending around 18 percent of their household income on their actual rent.”

The industry standard assumes affordable rent to be 30 percent of monthly income.

Peoria came in second, Gilbert was third and Chandler was fourth on the list.

Tempe came in at seventh, Glendale was ranked No. 10, Mesa came in 11th and Phoenix followed at 12th.

To determine its overall rankings, the website used a two-factor system divided into rental market affordability and quality of life.

In addition to having a low percentage of income spent on rent, Scottsdale also ranked top for quality of life, which included elements such as job satisfaction, public school quality, safety and weather.

Scottsdale residents weren’t the only ones spending a proportionately low amount on rent.

“Peoria, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix and Tucson are spending well below one-third of their income; typically about one-quarter or one-fifth,” Gonzalez said.

Tucson was ranked 26th on the overall list.

Two other Valley cities received a special mention from the site — Gilbert was ranked the safest city for renters in the country and Glendale has the fifth-highest number of vacant rentals.

KTAR News’ Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.