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The 10 best small US cities where renters get the most for their money in 2026
Apartments.com says the top 10 cities offer lower rents and stronger amenities, with some markets averaging below the national rate.
- Apartments.com identified 10 small U.S. cities where renters get the most value for their money in 2026, with housing costs significantly lower than the national average.
- Rankings rely on U.S. Housing and Urban Development figures comparing Fair Market Rents to median family income, showing renters in these cities spend 9.9% of income on housing versus 15.6% nationally.
- Peoria, Illinois, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, tied for the top spot at 9.3% rent-to-income ratio; however, Cedar Rapids rents increased 7.7% over the past year, the highest growth among ranked cities.
- Midwest college towns dominate the list, including Champaign, Illinois, home to the University of Illinois, and Columbia, Missouri, hosting the University of Missouri, offering residents diverse cultural scenes and year-round events.
- Renters should verify current numbers before moving, as one-bedroom rent rose more than 8% annually in five ranked cities, led by Columbia's 17.3% jump, suggesting affordability may not remain stable long-term.
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29 Articles
29 Articles
thepampanews.com+27 Reposted by 27 other sources
The 10 best small US cities where renters get the most for their money in 2026
Apartments.com reports that Peoria, IL, and Cedar Rapids, IA, tie as the best small U.S. cities for renters in 2026, with only 9.3% of income spent on rent.
·Pampa, United States
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The 10 best small US cities where renters get the most for their money in 2026 - Hillsboro Sentry Enterprise
Small cities are gaining popularity as renters realize their budget can go further there. With lower rents than major metros, small cities boast a more favorable rent-to-income ratio for many renters. Yet, with thousands of these cities across the country, it can be tough to narrow them down. New Apartments.com data shows the 10 small U.S. cities where renters can get the most for their money in 2026.Affordability is a commonality across small c…
·Hillsboro, United States
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Total News Sources29
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center22Last UpdatedBias Distribution81% Center
Bias Distribution
- 81% of the sources are Center
81% Center
15%
C 81%
Factuality
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