A StorageCafe study found the top 10 cities in the U.S. for downtown living as of 2023. The places that offer the “best bang for the buck” include several cities in the South, downtown Chicago, Ill., and Boston, Mass.
Based on a combination of metrics including cost of living, apartment options, entertainment, safety, and other desirable urban features, here are StorageCafe’s top 10 cities for a great downtown living experience.
10. Phoenix, Ariz.
According to the report, multifamily living remains the dominant housing option in downtown Phoenix, Ariz. Its downtown scene offers residents access to live music, art galleries, theaters, and around 200 restaurants. Overall, Phoenix ranks best in:
- Apartments with access to fitness centers
- Apartment availability related to population
- Access to theaters
The Phoenix metro has had a population growth of 14% from 2012 to 2021, according to a RentCafe analysis. The city has built 62,000 new apartments within that time frame, as well as 10 million sf of self storage space.
9. San Diego, Calif.
Those living in downtown San Diego, Calif., are given multiple shopping and entertainment venues, fresh groceries stores, and the ability to live in one of the green-certified buildings comprising 13% of downtown apartments. Overall, San Diego ranks best in:
- Public EV chargers
- Neighborhood safety
- Green apartment buildings
According to the StorageCafe study, close to 80% of San Diego’s downtown apartment buildings offer access to fitness centers. The downtown area also boasts 180 electric vehicle (EV) chargers, as well as 12.6 restaurants and 7.3 stores per 1,000 residents.
8. Columbus, Ohio
The city of Columbus, Ohio, attracts young professionals with its strong economy and city buzz. In its downtown scene, Columbus’ apartments offer 790 sf of space per person—around 250 more sf than the national average. Overall, Columbus ranks best in:
- Apartment availability related to population
- Access to restaurants
- Access to theaters
Columbus’ Olde Towne and downtown districts are peppered with coffee shops, specialty shops, and multiple options for all tastes and budgets.
RELATED: Columbus, Ohio, to be new home for 100,000-sf esports arena
7. Houston, Texas
Based on the report, over half of the top 10 cities are located in the South, with Texas taking three spots in the ranking. Overall, Houston ranks best in:
- Rent-to-income ratio
- Apartment space per person
- Apartments with access to fitness centers
Houston’s rent-to-income ratio is one of the lowest at 22%, a few points below the national threshold of 30 percent. The city’s downtown apartments are some of the most affordable in that case—and are some of the largest, too, with 890 sf of space per person.
6. Nashville, Tenn.
More than half (65%) of Nashville’s downtown apartment units are located in high-end buildings. Overall, Nashville ranks best in:
- Apartment availability related to population
- Access to restaurants
- Access to theaters
Though Nashville remains anchored in its reputation as “country music central,” there is more here than meets the eye. The city’s downtown scene comes first for its restaurant (22.4 per 1,000 people) and theater (19.4 per 1,000 people) options, according to the StorageCafe report.
5. Seattle, Wash.
Seattle, Wash., has a downtown that merges nature and city. “People can easily bike, go hiking or sip lattes without leaving their downtown zip code(s),” writes Mirela Mohan, Writer, StorageCafe. Seattle, Wash., ranks best in:
- Rent-to-income ratio
- Green apartment buildings
- Neighborhood safety
Seattle’s downtown area includes over 20% of green-certified properties, fitness centers in nearly 80% of apartment buildings, and residents that earn one of the highest median household incomes ($118k/year) of the list.
4. Boston, Mass.
Boston, Mass., is home to luxury apartments that make up 93% of its downtown units. Additionally, 25% of its downtown apartments are green-certified. Boston ranks best in:
- Apartments located in luxury buildings
- Green apartment buildings
- Access to restaurants
The city is also among the most educated on the list. Nearly 80% of adults living in downtown Boston hold a Bachelor's degree or higher. The area also comes with 18.4 restaurants and 2.9 theaters per 1,000 people.
3. Chicago, Ill.
Two-thirds of Chicago’s downtown apartments are high-end, though renters justify the city’s cost of living for its wide selection of amenities. Chicago, Ill., ranks best in:
- Educated population
- Green apartment buildings
- Rent-to-income ratio
Downtown Chicago has 11 restaurants per 1,000 people, apartment complexes that nearly all (90%) come with fitness centers, and over 140 EV charging stations.
2. Austin, Texas
Austin is the second of three Texas cities to make the list. Nearly half (47%) of its large-scale downtown apartment complexes are LEED-certified, and it hosts some of the biggest apartments per person (939 sf/person) in the country. Austin, Texas, ranks best in:
- Green apartment buildings
- Apartment personal space
- Educated population
Besides its 14.6 restaurants and 2.8 theaters per 1,000 people, downtown Austin is the number one city in the country for green-certified apartment buildings. Additionally, StorageCafe finds Austin to be one of the safest places among the list.
1. Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas, comes first in downtown living in multiple areas. Most (95%) include fitness centers, premier apartments comprise 81% of units, and the sf of apartments averages nearly 1,000 sf/person. Dallas, Texas, ranks best in:
- Apartments with access to fitness centers
- Apartments located in luxury buildings
- Apartment personal space
Dallas is also the leading U.S. city in multifamily and self storage development over the last decade. Dallas’ activity in developing storage units is followed by New York, N.Y.; Houston, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; and Phoenix, Ariz.; according to a RentCafe analysis of Yardi Matrix data.
RELATED: Self storage development booms in high multifamily construction areas
Related Stories
Green | Apr 22, 2015
AIA Committee on the Environment recognizes Top 10 Green Projects
Seattle's Bullitt Center and the University Center at The New School are among AIA's top 10 green buildings for 2015.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 16, 2015
3 award-winning affordable multifamily developments
San Francisco's Bayview Hill Gardens and the Broadway Affordable Housing complex in Santa Monica, Calif., are among the multifamily developments to be honored in AIA's 2015 Housing Awards.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 16, 2015
Seattle’s size restriction on micro apartments blamed for rise in rents
Seattle’s city planner recently said that the council’s new rules have made small apartments more expensive to build and charged the board with “overreaching” and not giving micro-housing “a fair shake.”
High-rise Construction | Apr 16, 2015
Construction begins on Seattle's Tibet-inspired Potala Tower
Construction on the 41-story Potala Tower in Seattle finally kicked off following a ground-breaking ceremony seven months ago.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 13, 2015
Figure-eight shaped hotel to open around PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Facility
Just three miles away from the Olympic stadiums, the hotel will be a hub of its own.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 9, 2015
Multifamily development and transactions haven’t taken a breather yet
Despite predictions about an impending softening in multifamily construction, builders and developers continue to expand their market reach and portfolios.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 8, 2015
Roof air leakage issues in multifamily buildings isn’t just 'hot air' talk
Paladino's Robert Hayes talks about venting regulations in New York and how air leaks can cost residents upwards of $3,000 a year.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2015
$100 billion 'city from scratch' taking shape in Saudi Arabia
The new King Abdullah Economic City was conceived to diversify the kingdom's oil-dependent economy by focusing more in its shipping industry.
High-rise Construction | Apr 6, 2015
Melbourne tower will light up depending on weather
The tower will be illuminated by 164-foot-tall beams of LED light based on weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 2, 2015
Historic Cabrini Green church to be demolished for tech-focused multifamily development
The infamous neighborhood’s Saint Dominic’s Church “was instrumental in taming a part of the city that grew up from the swamps as a lawless district of vice and poverty,” according to the Chicago Architecture blog.