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New York City isn’t just any city — and a renter in New York City isn’t your average renter.
From priorities to search strategy, renters in the Big Apple differ in several important ways from the average American renter, according to the latest Apartments.com research. A 2026 survey featured over 26,000 renters nationwide — including nearly 700 in New York City, revealing some significant differences between these groups.
If you own or operate rental properties in New York City, here are the key differences you need to know about renters in the city that never sleeps.
1. Millennials and Gen Xers predominate
Adults in their prime working years are overrepresented among New York City renters.
Compared to renters nationally, NYC renters are significantly more likely to be in their late 20s through early 50s — a stage often defined by career growth, increased mobility, and greater financial independence.
In contrast, Gen Z and baby boomer renters are underrepresented, suggesting that the pace, cost, and lifestyle of renting in New York City may be more challenging for renters who are just starting out in their careers or have already retired.
Generationally, two groups make up nearly two-thirds of New York City renters: millennials and Gen Xers. A whopping 34 percent of NYC renters are millennials, well above their 28 percent share of the renter population nationally, while Gen X is close behind with 30 percent of NYC renters, compared to 25 percent nationally.
2. Elevators and onsite laundry matter — a lot
Most renters have some non-negotiables when they’re looking for a place. It’s got to have air conditioning, for example, or it’s a no-go without an in-unit washer and dryer.
For renters in New York City, these features matter, too — but certain amenities have an outsized impact.
Known for its walk-up apartments, New York City is the only major city where elevator access is a requirement for nearly half of renters. In fact, having an elevator is the third most desirable amenity for New York City renters, with 46 percent of survey respondents indicating that they consider it a necessity.
The elevator comes in third after air conditioning and an in-unit washer and dryer — the same amenities that rank in first and second place at the national level.
However, renters in New York are more willing to live without these popular amenities than renters in other markets. At the national level, air conditioning is a requirement for 69 percent of renters. In New York City, only 51 percent consider it essential. And when it comes to having an in-unit washer and dryer, NYC renters are also more lenient than their counterparts in other markets. Only 49 percent of NYC renters consider this an essential, compared to 67 percent nationally.
If the unit doesn’t have laundry, at least the building should. An additional 42 percent of New York City renters prioritize onsite laundry facilities (such as a laundry room in the basement) — far more than renters in other parts of the country. In fact, this amenity ranks fourth among NYC renters.
New York City renters are also less likely to care about having a balcony (only 24 percent consider it a necessity), a dishwasher (29 percent), or off-street parking or a garage (22 percent).
New York City renters’ top amenity requirements
These are the top 10 amenities renters in New York City say they can’t live without — compared to the equivalent rates of renters nationwide.
NYC | Nationwide | |
| 51% | 69% |
| 49% | 67% |
| 46% | 17% |
| 42% | 29% |
| 24% | 39% |
| 24% | 36% |
| 22% | 41% |
| 19% | 13% |
| 18% | 25% |
| 16% | 17% |
3. Transit access is a must-have
Where’s the nearest subway station? New York City renters want to know. For 62 percent of them, living near public transit access, like a train station or bus stop, is a requirement when choosing where to live.
That’s over double the national average — and one of the highest rates in the country.
What’s more, over a quarter of NYC renters rank public transit information within the top five details they want to see in their rental search. That’s compared to only 9 percent of renters nationally.
4. They want to see the real thing — and talk to a real person
For NYC renters, seeing is believing. These renters are considerably more likely to want to see unit-specific videos (40 percent vs. 28 percent nationally) and to rank video among the most important online property tools (26 percent vs. 11 percent).
Nearly 53 percent would rule out a listing that doesn’t show photos of the exact unit.
In a market where individual units can differ significantly, it’s important for renters to get a realistic picture of the exact apartment they might be renting.
But beyond that, unit photos and videos can help add a sense of legitimacy.
For added legitimacy, NYC renters show greater interest in live video tours with a leasing agent (81 percent, compared to 76 percent nationally). They’re also more likely to want the option to communicate in person, at 63 percent, compared to 55 percent nationally.
5. Reviews aren’t as essential to their search
In the NYC rental market, reviews carry less weight. Just 15 percent of NYC renters rank ratings and reviews among the most important information to see in a listing, compared with 35 percent nationally. And when renters come across negative online reviews, NYC renters are 9 points less likely to consider this a deal-breaker.
That doesn’t mean reviews don’t matter. But in a competitive rental market like New York City, reviews take a back seat to more important considerations, like availability.
6. The rental search is tougher
Finding a new rental in New York City isn’t easy. Renter demand is high, and supply is low. As of early October, the New York City market has an average multifamily vacancy rate of 2.8 percent, according to the latest CoStar estimate for the fourth quarter — that’s the lowest of all major markets in the country.
On average, NYC renters say they expect to research 10 properties, tour six, and apply to six — that’s one more property researched and toured than the national average, and two more applications.
In such a competitive market, renters have to hedge their bets by expanding their search.
The added complexity of the NYC market means more renters rely on government resources and brokers to help them navigate listings, requirements, and limited availability.
One in six NYC renters say they use a broker in their search, a 10-point difference from the national average.
And nearly a quarter, or 23 percent of NYC renters, report using government resources in their search. This suggests a greater reliance on subsidized or income-restricted rental options available through programs like NYC Housing Connect and Section 8.
And thanks to the tight rental market in New York City, renters are more flexible in their expectations. Not only do NYC renters have fewer must-haves when it comes to amenities, but they’re also less likely to be turned off by a property’s condition or safety concerns, or even the fact it’s out of their budget.
On the other hand, New York City renters are more likely than the average renter to cross a place off their list if they don’t hear back within 48 hours of contacting the property or landlord. Twenty-nine percent of NYC renters consider it a deal-breaker if they don’t hear back in that timeframe. This highlights the need for speed in this competitive market.
What multifamily owners and operators can do
To reach renters in New York, make sure your listings address their priorities. These steps can help you stand out:
- Put transit front and center. Spell out which transit options are within reach, whether that’s the closest subway station, local bus stop, or commuter train.
- Focus on practical amenities. Call out elevator access and onsite laundry facilities, along with air conditioning and in-unit laundry.
- Help renters see the unit. Use current photos and videos of the exact unit, offer live virtual tours, and make it easy to contact a person directly to assure prospective residents that your rental is legitimate.
- Respond quickly. NYC renters need to act quickly. Give prospects a prompt follow-up when you receive a lead.
Want to reach more renters in NYC?
Around 84 percent of renters in New York City report using rental search apps and websites like Apartments.com to find their next place.
When you advertise your NYC property on Apartments.com, you’ll get exposure to nearly 2 million renters a month, benefit from exclusively NYC search features, and enjoy the added visibility from hyperlocal marketing across TV, search, and sports in New York City.
