Renters Are Flocking to the Suburbs. Here Are the 6 Places They’re Moving To

The real estate market continues to be hot as 2022 kicks off. While it’s not surprising that high prices and low inventory continue to keep the dream of homeownership just out of reach for some, it is interesting to see exactly which towns are bringing in new renters in droves. According to RentCafé, the American suburbs gained 3.7 million renters between 2010 and 2019. Some of these towns owe their influx to low rents, while others seem to be a great place for finding work. Here are six of the towns that renters have been rushing to move to over the past 10 years. 

The number of people renting in this small Virginia town increased by 46 percent according to RentCafé. It could be thanks to the old real estate adage, location, location, location — the town is a short 25 minute-ish drive to Washington, D.C. —  or the fact that it’s part of the desirable Fairfax County School system (they’re ranked an impressive fifth in the nation). Whatever the reason, renters can’t seem to get enough of Merrifield. 

Renters hoping to live beach-adjacent have been flocking to one small town in Miami-Dade county for nearly a decade, according to RentCafé. Brownsville, which is located in southern Florida, has seen a 36 percent increase in renters since 2010. People who call this town home can quickly get to the beach, commute to their jobs, or enjoy all the cultural entertainment and nightlife the city of Miami has to offer. 

It looks like San Pablo’s job prospects might be what pulls renters into town. The city boasts a large amount of medical facilities and a casino, which many residents were employed through according to a 2010 report. This might be why they’ve seen a 28 percent increase in renters. Living close to where you work can help you save some money on  your commute, which may appeal to renters hoping to save up to buy a house. 

I don’t think it’s the picturesque name that’s bringing 38 percent more renters to Hawaiian Gardens, but instead ease with which commuters can get from their rentals to downtown Los Angeles. The town is among the smallest of LA county’s cities and towns, and offers more affordable rent than some of its more popular locales.

College students may be the reason for the rising rental numbers in Altamonte Springs. The town is home to a branch of Seminole State College of Florida. The Seminole County spot is reporting 27 percent more renters than it did back in 2010. Maybe it has something to do with the hopeful matriculants looking for off-campus housing. 

Low rental prices may be driving up the appeal of Jennings, a small town in St. Louis County. The average rent of a 905-square-foot apartment is only $700 here, which is likely why they’ve seen a 39 percent increase in their rental population. For comparison, on average, US residents pay around $784 for their rental properties, making Jennings a good bargain!