Top Cities for Long-Term Rentership

By and large, renters who remain in their homes longer signal more than just personal preference—they often indicate market stability, constrained supply, and a lower turnover rate. For real estate investors, that can translate into stronger cash flow, lower maintenance costs, and higher tenant reliability over time.

According to a recent Redfin report, a third (33.6%) of U.S. renters have lived in the same home for at least five years, up from 28.4% a decade ago. On a regional level, however, the popularity of long-term rentership varies—often shaped by local affordability, supply constraints, and demographic trends.

To better understand how renter stability is evolving, LendingOne analyzed Redfin’s historical tenure data to pinpoint the markets with both the largest current share of long-term renters and the most significant growth since 2013.

Topline findings

• Inland California markets like Riverside, Stockton, and Bakersfield have seen long-term renter shares rise by over 15 percentage points since 2013.
• Midwest metros like Dayton and Grand Rapids are also seeing a rise in long-term rentership, driven by aging populations, affordability pressures, and limited supply.
• New York and Los Angeles have the highest share of renters staying 5+ years overall—driven by rent control, low turnover, and high ownership barriers that influence renters to stay put.

Where long-term rentership is climbing the most

In some markets, long-term renting has become the new normal. Specifically, California metros are seeing the biggest gains in long-term rentership due to a combination of housing shortages, rising home prices, and affordability pressures that make it harder for renters to move. 

Limited new construction has further contributed to renters staying in place longer. In inland markets especially, these factors are locking tenants into longer stays—even as population and investor interest have grown.