Charlotte Ranks No. 1 for Pet-Friendly Rentals
A Zillow analysis of the 50 largest U.S. metros places Charlotte at the top for rental listings that allow pets.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Apartments
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Zillow ranked Charlotte first among the nation's 50 largest metros for pet-friendly rentals, with 91.6% of its rental listings allowing pets. The share is up from 75% in 2024 and well above the nationwide figure of 77.3%.
Why it matters
With 59% of renter households nationwide owning at least one pet and 65% of renters calling pet-friendliness essential, listing access shapes where many people in Charlotte can afford to live. The ranking gives renters a measure of how easily they can find housing that accepts their animals.
Zillow's listing data puts Charlotte at 91.6% pet-friendly, compared with 77.3% nationally and 75% in 2024. The analysis does not say what drove the year-over-year increase.
The players
Zillow
Zillow is a major online real estate marketplace that publishes rental listing data and market analyses.
The details
Zillow compiled rental listing data to measure the share of listings that allow pets in each of the nation's 50 largest metros. Charlotte led the rankings, with Austin trailing by just 0.1 percentage points, while Raleigh placed sixth and Providence and New York City had the fewest pet-friendly rentals among major metros.
Timeline
2024: Charlotte ranked fourth in a separate Zillow and BARK pet-friendly analysis.
2025: North Carolina public shelters took in over 150,000 dogs and cats.
November 5, 2026: Zillow published the report ranking Charlotte No. 1 for pet-friendly rentals.
Market Trend
Charlotte moved from fourth place in Zillow and BARK's 2024 pet-friendly analysis to first in this year's ranking. The climb tracks a broader pattern in which pet ownership among renters continues to shape the rental market.
Renters searching in Charlotte have a larger pool of listings that accept pets than most other major metros. Prospective tenants with animals may find it easier to narrow their search to buildings that fit their needs.
The takeaway
Pet owners searching for housing in Charlotte face fewer barriers than most, but listing counts do not guarantee that a specific unit's pet policy fits a renter's dog, cat, or other animal. Confirm pet rules, deposits, and breed or size limits with each landlord before applying.
Further reading
For more on rental options, see Apartments coverage across the market.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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