Urban areas haven’t gained as many new renters as expected. In fact, from 2011 to 2015, suburban areas clearly outpaced urban areas in renter household gains in 19 out of the 20 largest U.S. metros. According to Census ACS data, the suburbs of Atlanta; Boston; Riverside, Calif., and St. Louis gained three times more renters than their urban areas. This is partly because rents are cheaper in the suburbs, schools are generally better, and communities are quieter.
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