BOSTON–Apartment hunters are showing renewed interest in Boston this quarter, as renter engagement climbs sharply according to RentCafe’s latest Renter Engagement Tracker (REnT) report. The city now ranks 26th nationwide, up 16 spots from the previous quarter.
The report highlights several key trends driving Boston’s appeal: renters are saving more apartments than a year ago, with saved searches rising 52%, suggesting prospective tenants are actively tracking listings and returning to check availability. Favorites lists grew 10%, and listing views increased 15%, indicating sustained interest across Boston neighborhoods.
Boston’s renter appeal is also reaching beyond local residents. Search activity from New York City and Cambridge showed notable growth this quarter, pointing to a widening pool of prospective renters keeping an eye on the city.
Regionally, the Northeast had its strongest quarter to date, with four cities breaking into the top 30 nationwide. Leading the way is Philadelphia, followed by Queens and the Bronx, with Boston rounding out the list as the fourth-ranked Northeast city and 26th in the U.S.
“The peak rental season is winding down, but renter engagement remains high,” RentCafe noted. Their data from July through September 2025, traditionally the busiest moving period, also revealed broader shifts in renter behavior nationwide. Major findings included:
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Cincinnati became the most searched city for apartments in Q3, while Washington, D.C., dropped from the top spot after nearly a year.
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Las Vegas entered the top five, and Long Beach, CA, broke into the top 10 for the first time this year.
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St. Louis recorded the largest jump in apartment search activity, climbing 74 positions.
The Midwest dominated renter interest in Q3, with 11 cities among the nation’s 30 most sought-after rental markets. Across the country, renters are increasingly using online tools to organize their searches, saving listings, setting alerts, and narrowing options to match priorities such as pet-friendly units, proximity to work, and value for money.
“Apartment hunters are no longer just browsing; they are actively engaging and comparing options, which is a strong indicator of demand,” RentCafe reported.
Boston’s rise in renter engagement signals a healthy appetite for urban living, fueled by both local and out-of-town interest, positioning the city as a top-choice market in the Northeast.
Source: RentCafe Renter Engagement Tracker, Q3 2025 (RentCafe.com)
