The 2024 Renter Preferences Survey Report by the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and Grace Hill reveals the evolving priorities of renters across the country. Featuring responses from 172,703 renters living in 4,220 communities, the report sheds light on the demographics, lifestyle, connectivity needs, and more for the renters of today.
Included in the research are renter preferences for apartment features and amenities. At the top of this list—the amenity/feature that respondents are “interested in” or “won't rent without”—is air conditioning. While 93% of renters fall into this category (a two percent increase from the 2022 report), there is one region of the U.S. where renters feel the change the most.
Where is apartment air conditioning demand increasing most?
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) region, characterized mostly by various mountain ranges within the states of Oregon and Washington, has seen some of the largest changes in air conditioning interest since 2022:
- A 3% increase in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore-Wash, area, from 87% in 2022 to 90% in 2024
- A 5% increase in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash., area, from 77% in 2022 to 82% in 2024
- A 10% increase in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, Wash., area, from 79% in 2022 to 89% in 2024
According to NMHC/Grace Hill, these three markets saw some of the largest changes in the air conditioning category in the past two years. As a region that historically has had little need for A/C even in its warmest seasons, the amenity is becoming increasingly crucial for rental communities. Across the U.S., extreme heat was the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in 2022, according to the National Weather Service. With temperatures rising each year, PNW metros like Portland and Seattle are shifting gears.
The number of Seattle rental units with A/C has nearly doubled in the last six years alone. Just 21% included primary air conditioning in 2015, while 41% of units had A/C in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Some other apartment features that respondents across the country indicated an interest in include in-unit washer/dryers (93%), high-speed internet access (90%), soundproof walls (88%), and walk-in closets (87%).
To get access to the full 2024 Renter Preferences Survey Report, visit nmhc.org
Related Stories
Market Data | Nov 27, 2017
Construction's contribution to U.S. economy highest in seven years
Thirty-seven states benefited from the rise in construction activity in their state, while 13 states experienced a reduction in activity.
Market Data | Nov 15, 2017
Architecture Billings bounce back
Business conditions remain uneven across regions.
Market Data | Nov 14, 2017
U.S. construction starts had three consecutive quarters of positive growth in 2017
ConstructConnect’s quarterly report shows the most significant annual growth in the civil engineering and residential sectors.
Market Data | Nov 3, 2017
New construction starts in 2018 to increase 3% to $765 billion: Dodge report
Dodge Outlook Report predicts deceleration but still growth, reflecting a mixed pattern by project type.
Market Data | Nov 2, 2017
Construction spending up in September; Down on a YOY basis
Nonresidential construction spending is down 2.9% on a year-over-year basis.
Sponsored | Industry Research | Oct 26, 2017
Get clients to pay you faster with these five tips
Here are 5 ways to avoid a cash crunch by doing your part to help clients make their payments on time.
Market Data | Oct 19, 2017
Architecture Billings Index backslides slightly
Business conditions easing in the West.
Industry Research | Oct 9, 2017
AEC website design trends in 2017 – Planning for 2018
A website that’s behind the times is hurting your business.
Industry Research | Oct 3, 2017
Nonresidential construction spending stabilizes in August
Spending on nonresidential construction services is still down on a YOY basis.
Market Data | Sep 21, 2017
Architecture Billings Index continues growth streak
Design services remain in high demand across all regions and in all major sectors.