Two metro Phoenix communities made a top 10 list for best places to rent based on the economy, apartments, traffic, air quality and amenities.

Scottsdale ranked No. 5, and Gilbert ranked No. 9 on a RentCafe list of the best places in the U.S. for renters, which included 20 key factors.

Phoenix ranked No. 72.

Scottsdale and Gilbert apartments average about 150 square feet more space than Phoenix apartments, which average 810 square feet.

The rental research firm found that more than 85% of the apartments in Scottsdale and Gilbert have “excellent amenities.”

RentCafe reports Phoenix’s unemployment rate is 5.2%, while the rate is about 3.5% in Gilbert and Scottsdale. The two cities also rank near the top for school quality.

Scottsdale doesn’t rank high for cost of living and housing costs, coming in at No. 34 out of 149 cities. It has the highest Valley rent at $1,600 for a one-bedroom, according to rental research firm Zumper.

Gilbert is much higher on the list of best places for renters, ranking No. 4 for cost of living and housing. The East Valley city has the third-highest metro Phoenix rent, with a one-bedroom averaging $1,540

Both cities have apartment occupancy rates below 94%, about average for the Valley and U.S.

Scottsdale ranked seventh in the local economy category and eighth for quality of life.

Gilbert came in at No. 31 for its economy and 25th for quality of life.

Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta and Sarasota, Florida, were the top three cities for renters.  – more at azcentral.com