“Luxury” and “affordable” don’t often show up in the same sentence, but some cities are changing the narrative. The 30 percent rent guideline states that, ideally, renters should spend about 30 percent of their income on rent. However, when it comes to luxury apartment communities, that percentage can lean towards the higher end. To help you find above-and-beyond comfort without going beyond your budget, here are the top 11 cities where you can find a luxury apartment for less than 30 percent of the median income.
|
Rank |
City |
Average Luxury Rent |
Median Income |
Luxury-Rent-to-Income Ratio |
|
1 |
$1,773/month |
$112,253 |
19% |
|
|
2 |
$2,389/month |
$123,433 |
23% |
|
|
3 |
$1,690/month |
$85,395 |
24% |
|
|
4 |
$1,360/month |
$68,656 |
24% |
|
|
5 |
$1,650/month |
$82,752 |
24% |
|
|
6 |
$1,808/month |
$89,389 |
24% |
|
|
7 |
$2,506/month |
$123,860 |
24% |
|
|
8 |
$1,857/month |
$90,919 |
25% |
|
|
9 |
$2,316/month |
$110,886 |
25% |
|
|
10 |
$1,557/month |
$73,201 |
26% |
|
|
11 |
$1,730/month |
$81,332 |
26% |
Plano, TX: Luxury With a Community Focus
- Average luxury apartment rent in Plano: $1,773/month
- Median income: $112,253
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 19%
Plano offers a refined, suburban lifestyle on the outskirts of Dallas. It balances space, high-end finishes, amenities, and affordability, giving renters that Dallas-Fort Worth metro area luxury for a lower price, as Plano is one of the most affordable places to live. A bonus of living in Plano is that it’s easy to reach Dallas or the DFW Airport thanks to DART Rail’s silver, orange, and red lines.
What luxury looks like in Plano
Plano has more of a close-knit community feel compared to neighboring Dallas, and apartment communities recognize that. Many luxury communities offer planned social activities in shared amenity spaces, so residents can get together and build friendships as they lounge in a poolside cabana or cook up a feast at an outdoor kitchen or grill.
Where to find luxury apartments in Plano
The two main neighborhoods for luxury apartments in Plano are Downtown Plano and Legacy. Downtown Plano is a combination of a sprawling shopping corridor along Sam Johnson Highway and a small-town main street with sidewalks full of restaurants and green spaces. Legacy is like a self-contained city, with tons of upscale shopping centers and restaurants, all right next to the luxury apartment communities.
Naples, FL: Beachfront Luxury
- Average luxury apartment rent in Naples: $2,389/month
- Median income: $123,433
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 23%
Naples has built its reputation on the Gulf Coast lifestyle: white-sand beaches, a walkable downtown, and a slower pace that still comes with plenty to do. Renters here aren't just looking for a nice apartment; they're looking for a home base for that beach-town lifestyle, and Naples' luxury communities are built around exactly that.
What luxury looks like in Naples
Beaches and the ocean are the centerpiece of luxury in Naples, whether that's Gulf views from a private balcony, a saltwater, infinity-edge pool, or beach access. Many communities lean into that coastal feel with sundecks, firepits, and lakeside or waterfront lounging areas. Even the finishes inside the apartment echo it, with airy, light-filled layouts and oversized windows that keep the water and sky part of the view.
Where to find luxury apartments in Naples
Naples' rental market looks a little different than most cities on this list. Rather than a dense concentration of apartment communities, renters will find a mix of rental condos, single-family homes, and a smaller number of dedicated apartment communities spread across the city. Condos right on the beach can get quite pricey, but luxury apartment communities offer an affordable alternative as they are set back a short distance from the water, though still with easy access.
Old Naples and Downtown Naples have the city's most upscale options, putting renters within walking distance of Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South's shopping and dining. Beyond downtown, luxury options line the coast, from beachfront high-rises to mid-rise communities just steps from the sand.
Raleigh, NC: Indoor-Outdoor Luxury, Carolina Style
- Average luxury apartment rent in Raleigh: $1,690/month
- Median income: $85,395
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 24%
Raleigh has become a hotspot for renters, including new grads, who are looking for a lively city with a laidback side. Events fill the streets, restaurants and live music venues fill out the nightlife scene, and the trails and parks stay packed. After all the activities, renters need a retreat to come home to.
What luxury looks like in Raleigh
Luxury in Raleigh takes on a very different look than other cities as it revolves around indoor-outdoor living. Renters want to be able to enjoy the outdoors from opulent comfort, whether that means sipping coffee on a private balcony or socializing on a rooftop deck. Beyond lounging, renters want to take advantage of the good weather. Resort-style pools are a must-have for cooling off, and sport courts let residents get moving with their favorite game, like pickleball or tennis.
Where to find luxury apartments in Raleigh
Most luxury apartment communities are clustered in the heart of the city, including the Capital District and the Warehouse District. For renters looking to live outside the city center, North Hills offers a slightly more suburban lifestyle while still being within walking distance of dining and shopping at the North Hills shopping mall and Midtown Park.
Oklahoma City, OK: Character and Style with a Side of Luxury
- Average luxury apartment rent in Oklahoma City: $1,360/month
- Median income: $68,656
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 24%
Oklahoma City has reinvented itself over the last couple of decades, growing from a quieter government town to a thriving cultural destination with an active arts and food scene. The city hasn’t forgotten its roots, and renters want to live alongside that sense of history and reinvention.
What luxury looks like in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City weaves the present into the past, and renters want to call a piece of that history and culture home while still living in comfort. Renovated lofts display historic character through brick, concrete, unique layouts, and exposed piping. However, they also come with the same niceties as newly built communities, providing expansive amenity spaces and high-end finishes. Many luxury apartment communities offer additional services that give renters back their time, like concierges, valet parking, and dry cleaning.
Where to find luxury apartments in Oklahoma City
Most luxury communities reside in Downtown Oklahoma City, particularly around Deep Deuce and Arts District. These neighborhoods are also attractive because they are within walking distance of employers and entertainment, from event venues and museums to gardens and walkable retail districts.
Mesa, AZ: All-in-One Luxury Living
- Average luxury apartment rent in Mesa: $1,650/month
- Median income: $82,752
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 24%
On the outskirts of Phoenix, Mesa keeps luxury within reach with more affordable rents than the major metro it borders. It may have a smaller square footage than Phoenix, but its spread-out nature means that cars are a part of daily life, which is the gap that Mesa’s luxury communities aim to close.
What luxury looks like in Mesa
Getting to daily destinations, like restaurants, grocery stores, gyms, or shops, often means driving in Mesa, so luxury apartment communities help residents cut down their car time by offering almost everything within their borders. Living spaces extend well beyond the apartment walls with spacious and well-maintained gyms, coworking spaces, lounges, game rooms, and more. Whatever activity you’re after, there’s likely a dedicated space for it on-site.
Where to find luxury apartments in Mesa
Options are spread pretty evenly across the city, with popular neighborhoods including Downtown Mesa, Riverview, and Superstition Springs. Whether you want waterfront-adjacent living or an active main-street feel, Mesa has a neighborhood to match.
Rochester, MN: Spacious Luxury Living
- Average luxury apartment rent in Rochester: $1,808/month
- Median income: $89,389
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 24%
Minnesota might conjure images of snowy winters rather than luxurious living, but Rochester holds its own with high-end apartment communities that rival any city on this list.
What luxury looks like in Rochester
Rochester’s mid-rise buildings tend to have more space to spread out, since the city isn’t as dense as bigger metros. That means more square footage for apartments and larger amenity spaces. It also opens the door to more variety: private coworking booths, sport courts, golf simulators, billiard rooms, craft rooms, yoga and spin studios, and more. With all this space, you’ll have plenty to enjoy.
Where to find luxury apartments in Rochester
If you’re looking for a luxury apartment community in Rochester, you’ll generally be exploring Uptown Rochester and Downtown Rochester. This makes luxury living convenient as it’s within a short distance of major employers and points of interest, and many communities are mixed-use, so grocery stores, restaurants, and more are just an elevator ride away. Some luxury communities even offer free shuttles to Mayo Clinic, one of the biggest employers in Rochester.
Seattle, WA: Luxury With a Sky-High View
- Average luxury apartment rent in Seattle: $2,506/month
- Median income: $123,860
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 24%
As one of the biggest cities on this list, Seattle comes with the most options for luxury apartments. The price tag may run higher, but so does the amenity list, providing more extensive offerings for residents to enjoy.
What luxury looks like in Seattle
When you look at Seattle’s skyline, you’ll see the many high-rises that you could live in. Many provide unmatched views of Puget Sound and the surrounding city, a sight you can’t get in other metros. To make the most of the scenery, most luxury communities include amazing rooftops, complete with pools, sundecks, lounges, gardens, grilling stations, and many other ways to take in the panoramic skyline.
Communities also come well-staffed, with concierges, doormen, security, on-site property managers, and more, so you can spend your time relaxing and gazing from the rooftop. Many of these high-rises sit above or right next to walkable retail and dining, as well as close to public transit and parks. Seattle is a very pet-friendly city, so luxury extends to pets as well with dog parks and washing stations.
Where to find luxury apartments in Seattle
Luxury apartments cluster in Downtown Seattle neighborhoods, like Belltown, Denny Triangle, and First Hill. Outside of the central core, Uptown, Capitol Hill, and South Lake Union have plenty of options, and across Lake Union, Fremont and Wallingford have a large share as well.
Portland, OR: Luxury by the Water
- Average luxury apartment rent in Portland: $1,857/month
- Median income: $90,919
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 25%
Portland’s identity is closely tied to its natural surroundings, and the Willamette River running straight through downtown is the centerpiece. The river is lined with parks, beaches, and trails that are always bustling, even more so during events. Renting also tends to be the more affordable path here compared to buying, which keeps the city's luxury apartment scene competitive and well-stocked.
What luxury looks like in Portland
With the Willamette River cutting through the city, renters want that feature close to home, not reserved for an occasional day trip. That means floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the river, plus rooftops and pools that overlook the water. It also means easy access to the waterfront itself for strolls on a trail, kayaking, or relaxing afternoon picnics in one of the many parks Portland is known for. Outdoor recreation extends beyond just the waterfront; proximity to public transit opens up the rest of Portland’s parks and green spaces to renters.
Where to find luxury apartments in Portland
Luxury apartments are spread across the city, but are concentrated in Downtown Portland neighborhoods like Pearl, Uptown Portland, and Waterfront. Further outside the city center, South Waterfront has seen a lot of new development, and over on the east side, Central Eastside, Boise, Kerns, and Buckman offer a completely different pace of life.
Scottsdale, AZ: Resort-Style Luxury
- Average luxury apartment rent in Scottsdale: $2,316/month
- Median income: $110,886
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 25%
As another suburb in the Phoenix metro, Scottsdale delivers that same Sun Belt luxury for a fraction of the price, wrapped in a resort-like setting. What sets it apart from Mesa or Phoenix itself is the laidback lifestyle coated in luxury that the city offers.
What luxury looks like in Scottsdale
Scottsdale’s setting makes outdoor recreation a priority for many residents, but with a luxury twist. Golf is a popular local pastime, so many luxury apartment communities are positioned next to a country club or a golf course, and some even have their own putting green or golf simulator. The city’s luxury apartments offer that true resort feeling, with massive courtyards designed around sparkling pools, ample poolside seating, and shaded cabanas. Like most communities on this list, Scottsdale luxury communities aim to give renters everything they need in one place, the same goal as resorts, so there's little reason to leave.
Where to find luxury apartments in Scottsdale
Luxury apartment communities in Scottsdale tend to cluster near retail, dining, parks, and other points of interest. So, they are concentrated in active and amenity-plentiful neighborhoods like Downtown Scottsdale, Kierland, Horizons, and South Scottsdale.
Omaha, NE: Where Old Meets New Luxury
- Average luxury apartment rent in Omaha: $1,557/month
- Median income: $73,201
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 26%
Omaha's roots run deep in its 19th-century days as a rail and stockyards hub, and much of that history is still visible in the brick warehouses and cast-iron facades. The rest of the city has grown into a more modern metro built around that historic core, a scene that luxury apartment communities have embraced.
What luxury looks like in Omaha
Luxury apartment communities have grown alongside the city, leading to an expansion of new construction or recently renovated buildings. That means high-end finishing touches of hardwood floors, waterfall-edge quartz kitchen islands, gas appliances, high ceilings, and large windows. Some communities are set inside converted warehouses or historic buildings that still contain some of the same exposed brick and original architecture that tell the story of Omaha’s earlier chapters.
Where to find luxury apartments in Omaha
The greatest number of luxury apartments have sprouted around downtown, including Aksarben/Elmwood Park, Downtown Omaha, Midtown Omaha, and Blackstone. Yet, there are plenty of other options sprinkled throughout the rest of the metro, including the more suburban edges.
Phoenix, AZ: Two Kinds of Luxury in One City
- Average luxury apartment rent in Phoenix: $1,730/month
- Median income: $81,332
- Luxury rent as percentage of median income: 26%
As part of the Sun Belt, Phoenix has drawn a steady wave of renters chasing affordability without giving up a big-city lifestyle. The city's luxury apartment market has grown to serve two very different versions of what "luxury" can mean, matching renters looking for either an active pace or a more laid-back one.
What luxury looks like in Phoenix
Phoenix delivers the best of both worlds through its resort-style and high-rise luxury apartment communities. The resort style looks a lot like luxury in Scottsdale: mid-rise buildings on expansive grounds, with every kind of amenity under the sun, from pools and decks to lounges and gathering spaces. The high-rise style is the classic city vibe of spectacular views within the heart of all the activity. They offer the same caliber of amenities in a vertical footprint, where rooftop pools sit on top of sky lounges and fitness centers.
Where to find luxury apartments in Phoenix
The kind of luxury you’re after dictates the neighborhoods to choose from. For spacious, resort-style living, suburban neighborhoods like Desert View or North Gateway are popular choices. For a mix of both styles, explore Biltmore, Uptown Phoenix, and Midtown Phoenix. For that quintessential city lifestyle and high-rise living, Downtown Phoenix neighborhoods, like Warehouse District and Roosevelt Row are some of the top picks.
Methodology
To build this list, we ranked cities by the percentage of median income the average luxury rent would consume, limited to cities with at least 500 available luxury rental listings. The table below expands that view to include more qualifying cities, using a lower threshold of at least 100 available listings.
|
City |
Average Luxury Rent |
Median Income |
Luxury-Rent-to-Income Ratio |
|
$1,773 |
$112,253 |
19% |
|
|
$1,755 |
$104,834 |
20% |
|
|
$1,309 |
$75,970 |
21% |
|
|
$1,065 |
$61,579 |
21% |
|
|
$2,743 |
$154,057 |
21% |
|
|
$2,389 |
$123,433 |
23% |
|
|
$1,760 |
$89,585 |
24% |
|
|
$1,413 |
$71,867 |
24% |
|
|
$1,690 |
$85,395 |
24% |
|
|
$1,360 |
$68,656 |
24% |
|
|
$1,650 |
$82,752 |
24% |
|
|
$1,292 |
$64,620 |
24% |
|
|
$1,597 |
$79,542 |
24% |
|
|
$1,808 |
$89,389 |
24% |
|
|
$2,506 |
$123,860 |
24% |
|
|
$1,243 |
$60,895 |
24% |
|
|
$1,857 |
$90,919 |
25% |
|
|
$2,316 |
$110,886 |
25% |
|
|
$1,677 |
$80,108 |
25% |
|
|
$1,557 |
$73,201 |
26% |
|
|
$1,730 |
$81,332 |
26% |
|
|
$1,611 |
$74,042 |
26% |
|
|
$1,658 |
$75,866 |
26% |
|
|
$1,482 |
$67,486 |
26% |
|
|
$1,384 |
$63,003 |
26% |
|
|
$1,676 |
$75,487 |
27% |
|
|
$2,024 |
$90,671 |
27% |
|
|
$1,920 |
$85,884 |
27% |
|
|
$1,459 |
$65,056 |
27% |
|
|
$4,766 |
$209,152 |
27% |
|
|
$2,083 |
$91,380 |
27% |
|
|
$2,068 |
$90,341 |
27% |
|
|
$1,878 |
$81,338 |
28% |
|
|
$1,503 |
$64,927 |
28% |
|
|
$1,389 |
$59,838 |
28% |
|
|
$2,166 |
$92,755 |
28% |
|
|
$2,173 |
$92,968 |
28% |
|
|
$1,642 |
$70,064 |
28% |
|
|
$2,355 |
$100,432 |
28% |
|
|
$1,359 |
$57,947 |
28% |
|
|
$1,576 |
$66,532 |
28% |
|
|
$1,890 |
$79,663 |
28% |
|
|
$4,445 |
$186,170 |
29% |
|
|
$4,326 |
$178,958 |
29% |
|
|
$2,160 |
$89,056 |
29% |
|
|
$1,401 |
$56,811 |
30% |
|
|
$1,853 |
$75,090 |
30% |
|
|
$1,998 |
$80,846 |
30% |
|
|
$1,721 |
$69,634 |
30% |
|
|
$2,027 |
$80,760 |
30% |
|
|
$1,294 |
$51,464 |
30% |
Apartments.com Is Your Shortcut to Luxury Living
Finding a luxury apartment shouldn't feel like another chore. Search for a luxury rental on most listing sites and you'll get a page sorted from highest price to lowest, leaving you to dig through listings just to find something in your budget that actually has the features you expect. Apartments.com takes a different approach: every property is evaluated using the CoStar Building Rating System, which scores buildings on their amenities and features using a 5-star scale, with 4- and 5-star buildings earning the "luxury" label. That means the listings you see are built around what actually makes an apartment luxury, not just what it costs.
To try it yourself, search your city, scroll down to the "Find Specialty Housing" section, and select the luxury apartments link. From there, use the customizable filters to narrow things down to a place in your price range with everything on your list. Your next luxury apartment is just a few clicks away with Apartments.com.
FAQs
What is the meaning of luxury apartment?
A luxury apartment is a rental that goes beyond the basics, offering high-end finishes, premium amenities, and a level of comfort and convenience that a standard apartment doesn't provide. That can mean anything from quartz countertops and floor-to-ceiling windows inside the unit to resort-style pools, fitness centers, and concierge service throughout the community.
What is the difference between an apartment and a luxury apartment?
A standard apartment covers the essentials, while a luxury apartment adds upgraded finishes and amenities on top. Think designer kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, and community perks like rooftop decks or coworking lounges.
What are the different types of luxury apartments?
Luxury apartments come in a range of styles depending on the city and setting. High-rise luxury apartments are common in dense urban cores, offering sweeping skyline or waterfront views along with amenity floors packed into a vertical footprint. Resort-style luxury apartments lean into sprawling grounds with pools, courtyards, and recreational amenities, often in suburban or warm-weather markets. Historic or loft-style luxury apartments repurpose older buildings, like warehouses or industrial spaces, pairing original architectural character with modern finishes and amenities.
