Charlotte Leads in Pet-Friendly Rental Listings
A Zillow study of 50 large U.S. metros finds Boston ranks 47th, with 62.5% of rental listings allowing pets.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Apartments
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Zillow released a study ranking 50 of the largest U.S. metros by share of pet-friendly rental listings, finding 77% of all its listings allow pets. Charlotte, North Carolina had the highest share at 91.6%, while Providence, Rhode Island had the lowest at 54%.
Why it matters
Pet policies shape where renters can live, and the results show a clear regional divide, with the most pet-welcoming cities concentrated in the Sun Belt and Mountain West. Large-scale apartment construction in those markets, fueled by migration, tends to make pet-friendly policies standard.
Zillow's analysis of its own rental listings found 77% allow pets nationally, with Charlotte leading at 91.6% and Providence trailing at 54%. The figures reflect only listings on Zillow, so they may not capture the full rental market in each metro.
The players
Zillow
Zillow is a real estate marketplace company whose rental listing data served as the basis for the pet-friendly rental study.
The details
Zillow measured the share of pet-friendly rental listings in each of 50 large U.S. metros. Boston ranked 47th with 62.5%, while New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles were also at the tail end of the list.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Zillow publishes the pet-friendly rental study.
Market Landscape
The regional split in pet-friendly listings tracks the Sun Belt and Mountain West construction boom fueled by population migration into those markets. Older Northeastern metros like Boston and Providence, with tighter existing housing stock, show markedly lower shares of pet-friendly listings.
Renters with pets should check pet policies early in their search, since listing shares vary widely by city. Prospective tenants in markets with fewer pet-friendly options may need to widen their search or budget for pet fees.
The takeaway
Pet ownership and rental location are increasingly linked, so renters should weigh pet policies alongside rent and commute when choosing a home. Checking the pet policy before touring a unit can save time and avoid surprises.
Further reading
For more on how rental housing trends are shifting across the country, explore Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Masslive.
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