Priced-out renters flock to Buffalo and Houston as next rental magnets
New Zillow data shows renters priced out of pricey coastal and metro areas are increasingly scouting outside their home markets, with Buffalo, Chicago and Houston drawing the biggest flows of out-of-town rental searches. The trend highlights Buffalo’s relative affordability, while Houston’s appeal is driven by jobs and growth. Other cities like Salt Lake City, Raleigh, Hartford and Nashville also see outsized outsider demand, signaling potential future home-buying in these areas. In New York City’s case, renters are more often heading south (Raleigh, Miami, Orlando, Tampa). Rent prices are finally rising after years of relief, and analysts say rising outsider interest can precede broader home-purchase activity.