It probably won’t come as a shock to many living on the West Coast which state a new study determined was the worst in the nation for renters.
A combination of high or rapidly increasing rents, low rental availability and poor quality-of-life metrics earned California the designation of least renter-friendly, a Consumer Affairs study published earlier this month reported.
“A statewide affordability crisis, tight rental market and aging housing stock earned California the bottom rank for renter friendliness,” the customer review platform stated.
California renters are subject to the highest monthly median payment of $2,000 and also the highest cost of living.
The study did note one positive for those looking to live in California.
“The Golden State has solid renters’ laws, ranking fifth best for tenant protections in our analysis. In 2019, the state passed legislation that requires landlords to have a ‘just cause’ to terminate tenancy. It’s now one of just six states that have such laws.”
Here’s a look at the Consumer Affairs list of the five worst and best states for renting:
Worst States for Renters:
- California – 34.74 out of 100 points
- Nevada – 37.25 out of 100 points
- Florida – 37.29 out of 100 points
- Louisiana – 37.77 out of 100 points
- Massachusetts – 38.07 out of 100 points
Best States for Renters:
- North Dakota – 67.15 out of 100 points
- Iowa – 66.28 out of 100 points
- Wyoming – 61.81 out of 100 points
- Minnesota – 58.23 out of 100 points
- Wisconsin – 58.23 out of 100 points
With a score of 34.74, California was the only state in the study to score less than 37 points. North Dakota, judged the best state for renters with 67.15 points, nearly doubled California’s total.
