Renters Chase Space As Data Reveals Where Bigger Homes Cost Less
Renters want bigger homes, surveys show. And there are opportunities to find them at a reasonable price if you know where to look, according to new data from Rentometer.com, an online tool for analyzing rental market rates.
The comparison firm analyzed 650,000 rental listings in 2025 to identify the cities and states where people looking for single-family rentals (SFR) get the most space and where it is most expensive.
It found the best place to look for a spacious SFR is in the Mountain West. Only three of the top 20 metros with large homes for rent were located outside the West, all in the Southeast. This includes Charlotte, NC (1,793 square feet), Nashville, TN (1,754 square feet) and Raleigh (1,726 square feet).
The Midwest's SFR appeal includes newer construction and larger open-concept floor plans.
Utah offered the most floor area, including the highest share of four-or-more-bedroom homes (55%) and a median rental size of 2,000 square feet. Other states in the region with spacious rentals are Colorado, where the median size of three-bedroom SFRs is some 700 square feet larger than in comparable New England states and Nevada, with a median of 1,824 square feet.
However, even more space could be found in Texas cities like Frisco (2,592 square feet), Plano (2,183) and Sugar Land (2,323). In addition, 41% of SFRs in the Lone Star State hosted four or more bedrooms.
Other states that offered more room included North Dakota and Minnesota cities like Minneapolis, Woodbury, Blaine and Minnetonka. Minnesota is also unusual in that many larger SFR homes are located in urban areas, not only on the outskirts. Washington state offers SFRs with a median of 1,800 square feet, suitable for remote work or larger households.
Even in cities with populations exceeding 250,000, spacious apartments as large as those in the suburbs can be found – though often at higher prices. For example, Irvine, CA has SFRs with a median of 2,379 square feet, often in master-planned communities within a highly developed urban setting – but it ranked as the second most expensive city in the U.S., after San Francisco.
It's the same situation in Plano, TX, where its proximity to Dallas and high-quality housing stock make it, at a median of $2,495, the most expensive city in the state for a three-bedroom SFR. Scottsdale, AZ, offers a premium 2,000 square foot lifestyle for a median rent of $3,500.
In some large cities, more space comes at a higher cost. But not in all. In Colorado, Colorado Springs (1,916 sq ft; $2,195) and Aurora (1,906 sq ft; $2,695) offer a balance of space and affordability. Competitive pricing may be found in Henderson and Las Vegas, NV as well as in Arizona cities Gilbert and Chandler.
Some mid-sized cities with populations of 100,000 to 250,000 may appeal to renters seeking space and value. The list includes cities "that are still relatively manageable in size," like Frisco, TX, Centennial, CO and Sugar Land. Several others are located in Texas.
Small cities with 25,000 to 100,000 residents also offer "true suburban-style living with larger homes, quieter neighborhoods, and community-oriented neighborhoods without needing to buy," the report noted.
In some cities, especially those with older homes, less SFR space translates into lower rent. But in other markets, like prime coastal areas, tenants pay more rent for less space.
These considerations create another wrinkle for individuals and families to consider as they debate whether to continue renting or to buy to fit the lifestyle they seek.
Source: GlobeSt/ALM