Homes for rent
Houses and Apartments for Rent: Compare Where to Search
Compare trusted places to find houses and apartments for rent in the US, from major listing sites to HUD's affordable housing tools, with tips on fees and avoiding scams.
Written by BabbleSports Editorial Team · 4 min read
Start with the resource that fits your search, then read our short guide before visiting the official site.
Search Houses and Apartments for Rent on One Map
Browse rental listings by city or ZIP code, then narrow results by price, bedrooms, pets and home type.
Zillow's rental search covers apartments, houses, condos and townhomes. Some listings accept a reusable Zillow application, and the site also offers saved searches with email alerts. Always confirm details with the landlord before paying anything.
- Map search for houses and apartments
- Saved searches with email alerts
- Reusable application at participating rentals
- Online rent payment for some rentals
Each of these resources works a little differently, so comparing two or three can help you see more of what is available.
Filter Apartments, Houses and Townhomes by What Matters
Search rentals by price, rental type, amenities and move-in date, with floor plans and photos on many listings.
Apartments.com, from CoStar Group, offers rental search plus online tools for touring, applying, signing a lease and paying rent. Many listings include unit-level floor plans, and some offer 3D virtual tours. A cost calculator helps estimate move-in fees.
- Filters for price, amenities and move-in date
- 3D virtual tours on many listings
- Online applications and lease signing
- Cost calculator for move-in expenses
Find Apartments, Houses and Rooms with Verified Listings
Search long- and short-term rentals, look for the verified tag, and set alerts for pricing and availability.
Zumper lists apartments, houses and rooms for rent across the US. It marks some listings as verified, meaning Zumper confirmed they were posted by real people with real units. Zumper says renters can browse and contact properties for free.
- Apartments, houses and rooms in one search
- Verified tag on confirmed listings
- Alerts for price and availability changes
- Free to browse and contact properties
Compare Rentals Alongside Homes for Sale
Search apartments and houses for rent, apply online at participating listings, and weigh renting against buying.
Realtor.com, operated by Move, Inc., has a rental section for apartments and houses. Renter tools include online applications on participating listings, a list of rentals you have contacted, and a rent-or-buy calculator for longer-term planning.
- Apartments and houses for rent
- Apply online at participating listings
- Track the rentals you have contacted
- Rent vs. buy tools for planning
Switch Between Homes for Rent and for Sale on One Map
Search apartments, houses and condos for rent with filters for budget, location and pets, then contact property managers.
Redfin's rental search uses the same map as its for-sale search, so you can compare renting and buying side by side. Listings may include photos, floor plans and 3D tours, and you can message property managers to schedule a tour or request an application.
- Map search for apartments, houses and condos
- Filters for budget, location and pet policy
- Photos, floor plans and some 3D tours
- Saved searches and favorites in one place
Search Rentals Nationwide and Plan Your Rent Budget
Look for apartments, houses, condos and townhouses for rent, book tours, and use a calculator to set a budget.
Rent.com (styled Rent.) is operated by Rent Group, LLC and covers apartments, houses, condos and townhouses for rent across the US. It offers tour booking on many listings, a rent calculator, a rental price estimator and renter advice, including tips on avoiding scams.
- Apartments, houses, condos and townhouses
- Book tours on many listings
- Rent calculator to set a budget
- Renter tips, including scam advice
Map-First Search for Apartments, Houses, Rooms and Sublets
Draw your search on a map and look across apartments, houses, rooms, sublets and corporate rentals.
HotPads is a Zillow Group rental site built around an interactive map. It covers apartments, houses, condos, townhouses, rooms, sublets and corporate rentals, with filters for price, beds, baths and pets, plus saved searches and alerts.
- Interactive map with area borders
- Rooms, sublets and corporate rentals
- Filters for price, beds, baths and pets
- Saved searches, favorites and alerts
Answer a Short Quiz and Get Matched with Apartments
Share your budget, move-in date, neighborhoods and must-haves, then review a shortlist of matching apartments.
Apartment List takes a matching approach: you answer questions about budget, timing, location and amenities, and it suggests apartments that fit. You can like listings to build a shortlist, message properties, book tours and apply. Searching by city is also available.
- Matching quiz on budget and must-haves
- Shortlist of liked apartments
- Book tours and message properties
- Free for renters to use
Find Affordable and HUD-Assisted Apartments Near You
Use HUD's official map to locate affordable rental properties and get contact details for their managers.
The HUD Resource Locator is a free map from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. It shows affordable housing such as HUD-assisted apartments and tax credit properties. It does not show vacancies, so you contact each property directly to ask about openings.
- Official, free map from HUD
- Shows HUD-assisted and tax credit properties
- Contact details for property managers
- Useful for voucher holders
Apply for Section 8 or Public Housing Through Your Local Agency
Find your local Public Housing Agency in HUD's official directory to ask about vouchers, public housing and waitlists.
Housing Choice Vouchers, also called Section 8, and public housing are run by local Public Housing Agencies with HUD funding. HUD's directory lists agency contacts by state. Eligibility depends on income and family size, and waitlists are often long.
- Official HUD directory of local agencies
- Covers vouchers and public housing
- Contacts listed by state and city
- Learn about eligibility and waitlists
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to apply for a rental?
Landlords commonly ask for a government-issued photo ID, proof of income such as recent pay stubs or an offer letter, and rental history or references. Having these ready can speed up your application.
Do landlords check credit and income?
Most do, usually through a tenant screening report that can include credit, eviction and criminal records. If you are denied because of a report, federal law says the landlord must tell you, and you can request a free copy from the screening company and dispute errors.
What fees and deposits should I budget for?
Plan for an application or screening fee, a security deposit and the first month's rent, plus possible pet, parking or administrative fees. Amounts vary by landlord and some states limit fees and deposits, so ask for every charge in writing.
How can I avoid rental scams?
See the home in person or by live video, verify who owns it, and never pay by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency. Be wary of rent far below market or pressure to pay before signing a lease, and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How can I find affordable housing or a Section 8 voucher?
Contact your local Public Housing Agency about Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing, using HUD's online directory. HUD's Resource Locator map shows affordable properties, but you must contact each one about vacancies.
Recommended for you
- Apartment List Guide: How the Matching Quiz and Shortlist Work
- Apartments.com Guide: Search, Tour and Apply for a Rental Online
- HUD Resource Locator: How to Find Affordable Rental Housing
- HotPads Guide: Map Search for Rooms, Sublets, Apartments and Houses
- Realtor.com Rentals: Searching Apartments and Houses for Rent
- Redfin Rentals Guide: Map-Based Search for Apartments and Houses
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and may not fit your situation or country. Rules, prices and requirements change, so check the details with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Read our full disclaimer.