Cincinnati Tops 2026 Rental Hotlist of 30 Most in Demand Cities
Several markets across the United States are already showing strong demand as the 2026 rental season approaches. According to a RentCafe analysis, which tracked apartment searches, saved listings and favorited properties, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Minneapolis lead the pack.
Cincinnati jumped 10 spots from last year, with page views rising 3%, listings added to favorites surging 81% and saved searches increasing 14%. Demand is fueled by renters relocating from high-cost coastal metros in search of a mid-sized city with a robust job market anchored in health care, manufacturing and finance, while downtown revitalization and riverfront improvements have made urban living more appealing than ever, according to RentCafe.
Atlanta edged up one spot despite tightening inventory, ranking sixth for page views and second for total listings added to favorites, with saved searches inching up 1%. Its expanding tech, logistics and film sectors, combined with investments in in-town neighborhoods, make the city particularly attractive to younger professionals seeking walkable, urban living.
Minneapolis climbed four spots as renters narrowed their choices more quickly, ranking ninth for page views, fifth for saved searches and favorites, seeing a 29% increase. The city's diverse economy, anchored by health care, major corporate headquarters and top-tier universities, continues to draw a steady stream of students and early-career professionals.
The remainder of the top 10 shows a mix of shifting demand across regions. Washington, D.C., slipped three spots to fourth, ranking second for saved apartments, sixth for page views, while favorites declined by 2%. The nation's capital benefits from a constant pool of renters associated with federal agencies, contractors and embassies, creating steady demand for centrally located apartments near transit.
Baltimore jumped 17 spots to fifth, with page views up 73%, favorites rising 65% and saved searches remaining steady. The area grew as an affordable alternative to D.C., thanks to excellent access to regional job hubs.
Cleveland fell four spots to sixth, with page views stable, favorites up 11% and saved searches down 4%. Its healthcare, education and emerging biomedical sectors are continuing to attract professionals.
San Jose made a standout move, climbing 80 spots to seventh, with page views up 29%, favorites up 2% and saved searches ranking 17th nationally. Its newer mixed-use districts, featuring transit access and high-end retail, are drawing residents who might have previously opted for the suburbs, reinforcing the city's tech-hub appeal.
Philadelphia dropped three spots to eighth, with page views up 4%, favorites surging by 33% and saved searches up 3%. The area offers big-city culture and East Coast job market access without enduring the high costs of New York City, said RentCafe.
Kansas City rose six spots to ninth, with page views up 3%, favorites up 26% and saved searches up 27%, benefiting from its branding as a logistics and entrepreneurship hub that attracts remote workers and relocating firms.
Birmingham rounded out the top 10, jumping 29 positions, ranking fourth for page views, favorites up 11% and saved searches up 10%. Its appeal to young professionals grows alongside the banking and healthcare industries, while downtown redevelopment and the emergence of craft beer and food scene make city-center living increasingly desirable.
Perhaps most notable outside the top 10 is El Paso, Texas, which surged 115 spots to No. 28, reflecting heightened renter interest in more affordable housing options.
Regionally, the Midwest leads with 11 of the 30 most in-demand cities, followed by the South with 10, the West with seven and the Northeast with two.
Source: GlobeSt/ALM