Apartment Renters Prefer This GA Market, Data Shows

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia is home to one of the top three most in-demand cities for real estate this year, according to a recent survey.

RentCafe, which analyzes apartment-related data, recently released its list of the top 10 cities to watch this year. The compilation is based on trends encompassing apartment searches, saved listings and favorited properties on RentCafe.

Top markets included Baltimore, Maryland; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Washington, D.C. However, data shows renters on the hunt for apartments primarily prefer Cincinnati, Ohio over all other towns evaluated, which totaled 30.

Several cities on the list are along the East Coast, including Atlanta, which is the second-most popular market among renters.

Much of Atlanta renter traffic comes from Sandy Springs and Marietta, which are part of metro Atlanta, according to RentCafe.

"Atlanta’s rental market remains steady, with renters showing sustained interest through frequent searches and repeated visits to listings. Even as inventory tightens, engagement levels suggest that people remain determined to find a place in the city. Consequently, these patterns have nudged Atlanta up one spot from last year, keeping it a Southern powerhouse," RentCafe reported.

The town boasts the sixth-most total page views on the blog, 1 percent more saved searches than in 2025 and is second for total listings added to favorites.

"Atlanta’s appeal is reinforced by its expanding job base in tech, logistics and film. Ongoing investments in intown neighborhoods have made the city especially desirable for younger professionals who value walkability and urban comfort," RentCafe reported.

RELATED: Apartment Costs In This GA Town Are In The Top 10 Nationally: New Study

Last month, data from RentCafe showed Atlanta is one of the most affordable markets for new apartments.

In Georgia, construction has been completed on 10,486 new affordable apartments in the last five years in Atlanta, according to RentCafe. Before then, 4,139 affordable apartments were developed from 2015-19, creating a 153.35 percent increase.

This pushes an 11.10 percent share of new affordable apartments compared to overall housing in Atlanta, according to the data.

Notably, the Reserve at Douglasville at 7755 Dallas Hwy. 92 has provided cheap prices and 286 apartments for low-income renters, according to RentCafe.

"Set in a growing suburb west of Atlanta, the property introduces affordable apartments to an area where new housing has often skewed toward higher price points," the analysis stated.

Here are the top 10 trending cities to watch:

1. Cincinnati, Ohio
2. Atlanta, Georgia
3. Minneapolis, Minnesota
4. Washington, D.C.
5. Baltimore, Maryland
6. Cleveland, Ohio
7. San Jose, California
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9. Kansas City, Missouri
10. Birmingham, Alabama

See the full list of 30 cities via RentCafe.