Minneapolis
Adobe Stock / Allen Gray Minneapolis

After attracting considerable rental interest throughout 2024, Minneapolis took the No. 1 spot for cities to watch in 2025, according to RentCafe.com. Atlanta and Overland Park, Kansas, took second and third place, respectively.

RentCafe analyzed the most popular rental markets each month during 2024 and compiled the data to see which cities will rise to the top in 2025. Minneapolis snagged the first spot seven times throughout the past 12 months, placing it at the top of the list. Atlanta, which was the 2024 top city to watch, came in second as it has continued capturing renters’ attention.

In third, Overland Park saw a significant rise, which has been fueled by its growing popularity among those seeking suburban living, RentCafe says. Cleveland follows in fourth place with steady renter interest throughout 2024, and Washington, D.C., rounds out the top five with continued appeal despite a slight fall in online engagement.

Regionally, the Midwest and West are nearly tied when it comes to the top region to keep an eye on for 2025. Both the Midwest and West claim 10 spots each in the annual report.

Minneapolis, Overland Park, Cleveland, Detroit, and Cincinnati highlight the Midwest’s affordability and growing urban amenities. The West has its own standouts, like Santa Rosa, California, which ranks sixth for offering a mix of scenic charm and urban convenience.

According to RentCafe, the South continues to draw substantial renter interest with Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the Northeast remains steady with Philadelphia in eighth place and Queens, New York, at No. 28.

The top 20 cities to watch include:

  1. Minneapolis
  2. Atlanta
  3. Overland Park
  4. Cleveland, Ohio
  5. Washington, D.C.
  6. Santa Rosa
  7. Detroit
  8. Philadelphia
  9. Chicago
  10. Cincinnati
  11. Louisville, Kentucky
  12. Reno, Nevada
  13. Orlando, Florida
  14. Richmond, Virginia
  15. Indianapolis
  16. Sacramento, California
  17. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  18. Tacoma, Washington
  19. Portland, Oregon
  20. Tulsa, Oklahoma