Which are the top 10 cities in the US to rent in?

Increasing job mobility and technology are making working from home a continually growing trend. Where someone lives in relation to their job is making less of a difference. Plus, more people than ever work online: freelance writers, teachers, influencers, and others. 

So, for many people, renting a home instead of buying fits into their lifestyle of not being so job location dependent. It's possible to spend some time in one place then move on. This might mean living in one city or state, moving across the country, or from coast to coast if that's what appeals.

For many people, the cost of renting is essential, but so are other factors such as liveability, size of the typical rented unit, or access to amenities. Such as good shopping or parks or recreational facilities. Then there are factors such as the weather and likelihood of natural disasters such as hurricanes to consider.

In conjunction with Apartments.com, Forbes recently updated their regular survey on cities to identify which city comes the closest to offering "ideal" renter conditions. For example, in some cities, the rents are not the lowest in $ terms, but as a percentage of the total median annual income, such cities scored well.

Based on the results of the survey, the top 10 cities to rent in were as follows:

1: Plano, Texas

Attractions: spacious apartments of around 1,087 sq feet (2-beds), many with modern kitchens; the low ratio of rent to annual income (20%); 90% of apartments have common pools or gyms; low crime rate; 75% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

Overall, Plano has earned a national reputation as one of the best places in the United States for families to live and work.

The Median Rent: for a house is $2,500

Downsides: heatwaves and tornadoes

 2: Omaha, Nebraska

Attractions: spacious apartments of around 1,086 sq feet (2-beds); the low ratio of rent to annual income (22%); 81% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

The city's waterfront is being revitalized.

The Median Rent: for a house is $1,450

Downsides: not many apartment complexes have pools or gyms; heatwaves, tornadoes and winter storms; average overall crime rate but vehicle thefts are high.

3: Raleigh, North Carolina

Attractions: good choice of spacious apartments of around 1,066 sq feet (2-beds); low ratio of rent to annual income (23%); many apartments have common pools (42%) and/or gyms (75%); 58% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park; very low rates of violent crime and burglaries.

The city is also part of the "Research Triangle" with Chapel Hill and Durham, with many diverse businesses and three major research universities in the area.

The Median Rent: for a house is $1,670

Downsides: heatwaves and winter storms

4: Lincoln, Nebraska

Attractions: spacious apartments of around 1,044 sq feet (2-beds); 92% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park; very low rates of violent crime and burglaries.

Lincoln is Nebraska's capital and has a wide variety of business and commerce, spanning regional government offices, agriculture, insurance, and more.

The Median Rent: for a house is $1,750

Downsides: heatwaves and winter storms

5: Gilbert, Arizona

Attractions: good choice of spacious apartments of around 1,046 sq feet (2-beds); high % with modern kitchens and inbuilt washers, as well as other amenities; 31% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park; the low ratio of rent to annual income (19%).

Gilbert has plenty of shopping and dining options.

The Median Rent: for a house is $2,490

Downsides: heatwaves and floods

6: Atlanta, Georgia

Attractions: spacious apartments of around 1,144 sq feet (2-beds); high % have modern kitchens and inbuilt washers, as well as amenities such as a gym (75%); 72% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

The city is known for theatre arts and culture.

The Median Rent: for a house is $1,608

Downsides: heatwaves and tornadoes; a high ratio of rent to annual income (32%);

 7: Scottsdale, Arizona

Attractions: good choice of spacious apartments of around 1,083 sq feet (2-beds); the lowish ratio of rent to annual income (23%); high % inbuilt washers (79%), as well as amenities such as a gym (83%); 40% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

Old Town Scottsdale is well-known for a pedestrian-friendly area of restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

The Median Rent: for a house is $2,290

Downsides: heatwaves, floods, and wildfires

8: Henderson, Nevada

Attractions: good choice of spacious apartments of around 1,078 sq feet (2-beds); the lowish ratio of rent to annual income (23%); high % inbuilt washer/dryers (81%), as well as amenities such as a gym (91%) or pool (51%); 60% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

Henderson is home to Lake Las Vegas, an artificial lake surrounded by luxury hotels and homes, a water park, and a public golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The Median Rent: for a house is $2,000

Downsides: heatwaves and possible earthquakes

9: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Attractions: good-sized apartments of around 1,025 sq feet (2-beds); the low ratio of rent to annual income (20%); high % inbuilt washer/dryers (65%), as well as amenities such as a gym (66%) or pool (33%); 68% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

Virginia Beach has a variety of landscapes, from ocean views/beaches to wildlife reserves, and both urban and rural areas.

The Median Rent: for a house is $2,990

Downsides: heatwaves, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes

 10: Charlotte, North Carolina

Attractions: good choice of spacious apartments of around 1,071 sq feet (2-beds); modern kitchens; the fairly low ratio of rent to annual income (26%); high % of apartments have amenities such as a gym (80%) or pool (50%);

The city has a variety of attractions, outdoor activities, and nightlife.

The Median Rent: for a house is $1,800

Downsides: heatwaves and tornadoes; low % of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.