Forbes recently ranked San Francisco as the worst city in the country for cost-conscious renters. However, it scores much higher in another rental category.
The City by the Bay came out on top when real estate website Trulia ranked the 25-largest rental markets based on pet friendliness. The study was done in conjunction with National Pet Month, which is in May.
The other top-five markets are also in the West.
The rankings are based on the following factors:
- Percentage of rental listings that allow cats or dogs
- Average fees associated with having pets
- Proximity to pet stores and services
The top cities are:
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Denver
- Oakland, California
- Portland, Oregon
- Chicago
- St. Louis
- New York
- Dallas
- San Diego
- Phoenix
- Philadelphia
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Boston
- Newark, New Jersey
- Los Angeles
- Riverside-San Bernardino, California
- Atlanta
- Orange County, California
- Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Miami
- Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida
- Houston
- Washington, D.C.
- Baltimore
If you’re a renter who wants to become a pet owner, consider a cat or small dog.
In the above rental markets, 20 percent of rentals explicitly allow cats and 18 percent allow small dogs, Trulia found:
Unfortunately, if you’ve got a St. Bernard or a Great Dane, you’re barking up the wrong tree: Nationwide, just 4 percent of rental listings say your big dog is welcome.
Dallas is the most pet-friendly market in terms of the percentage of rentals that allow cats or dogs of any size.
Even if you find a place that allows pets, however, find out if there are fees associated with having pets before adopting a four-legged friend.
Few rentals charge pet-related fees, according to Trulia’s analysis. But when they do, they can be steep.
Washington, D.C., is the most expensive place to rent with a pet, with an average pet deposit (a refundable upfront fee) of more than $350, an average pet fee (a nonrefundable upfront fee) of more than $425, and an average pet rent of nearly $45 per month.
If instead of moving you’re simply looking to get away on a trip with Fido, consider one of the following cities, which One Green Planet dubbed the most pet-friendly for vacationers:
- Austin, Texas
- Bal Harbor, Maine
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Carmel, California
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Chicago
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Key West, Florida
- Portland, Oregon
- Sonoma Valley and Napa, California
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