The Cities with the Highest Vacancy Rates

1. Miami, Florida

Situated in the southern part of Florida, Miami sits between the Everglades to the west and Biscayne Bay on the east. As the seventh most densely populated metro area in the U.S., ^[2] the Miami and surrounding cities are home to 2,761,581 people as of the most recent Census data. ^[3]

According to a previous Debt.com report, Miami is also the No.1 city in America where people struggle to live comfortably. While it has the highest vacancy rate in the country, that’s because of the number of vacation homes and high real estate costs.

• Total households: 2,505,963
• Total occupied households: 2,077,708
• Total vacant households: 428,255
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 17.09 percent

2. Orlando, Florida

As the Theme Park Capital of the World, ^[4] Orlando was ranked as the No. 1 summer travel destination by AAA. ^[5]

The city is home to world-famous theme parks Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort that draw crowds year-round.

With its high tourist draw, Orlando has the second-highest vacancy rate in the nation at nearly 16 percent. A Debt.com report also found that it’s one of the worst places to start over after bankruptcy.

• Total households: 995,591
• Total occupied households: 837,022
• Total vacant households: 158,569
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 15.93 percent

3. Tampa, Florida

Located on Florida’s west coast, Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay Area. It is also home to three major professional sports teams: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football), the Tampa Bay Rays (baseball), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (hockey).

The city offers a mix of historic architecture and modern landmarks with Cuban and Spanish influences. 

Tampa, Florida is also one of the least popular cities for millennial homebuyers, according to previous Debt.com reporting. 

• Total households: 1,393,313
• Total occupied households: 1,180,768
• Total vacant households: 212,545
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 15.25 percent

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

The Entertainment Capital of the World is home to casinos, resorts, hotels and much more. Las Vegas is a world-renowned resort city known for gambling, nightlife, entertainment, and fine dining.

With its hot climate and a variety of entertainment options, it is also a major vacation destination. This could contribute to its above-average vacancy rate of 14.56 percent.

• Total households: 877,617
• Total occupied households: 749,858
• Total vacant households: 127,759
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 14.56 percent

5. Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama and an important regional hub. Located in the Deep South, it played a major role during the Civil Rights Movement. The city is home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the area’s largest employer, and a major medical and research center.

Recent history has seen a population shift toward the suburbs as more people move to surrounding areas. If you want a fresh start after bankruptcy, steer clear of Birmingham. The city topped the list of the worst places to start over after bankruptcy, according to a Debt.com report.

• Total households: 511,456
• Total occupied households: 440,261
• Total vacant households: 71,195
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 13.92 percent

6. Jacksonville, Florida

Located in the northern part of the Florida panhandle, Jacksonville boasts 22 miles of beaches, an extensive park system, and world-class fishing. 

While not as well-known as Orlando or Miami, Jacksonville is a vacation destination with a vibrant nightlife, historic neighborhoods and a thriving arts scene. The warm climate also makes it attractive for vacation homes, resulting in a higher than average vacancy rate of 13.37 percent.

• Total households: 625,888
• Total occupied households: 542,219
• Total vacant households: 83,669
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 13.37 percent

7. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is world-renowned for jazz, unique food, and vibrant nightlife. It’s home to many celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras. It is the most populous city in Louisiana and an economic and commercial hub for the Gulf Coast region.

Fourteen years after Hurricane Katrina’s catastrophic damage and population loss, New Orleans is still struggling to fully recover. Even though there is a large stock of homes available on the market, the low population contributes to the high vacancy rates.

• Total households: 554,706
• Total occupied households: 480,817
• Total vacant households: 73,889
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 13.32 percent

8. Riverside, California

Named for its location besides the Santa Ana River, Riverside is about 55 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. For those interested in quirky landmarks, it is home to the “World’s Largest Paper Cup.” ^[6]

Riverside gave birth to California’s thriving citrus industry with several historic and city landmarks commemorating its history.  

• Total households: 1,538,604
• Total occupied households: 1,335,366
• Total vacant households: 203,238
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 13.21 percent

9. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the nation, boasting a population increase of 14.7 percent over the last eight years according to Census data. ^[7] Located in the Salt River Valley, the city and surrounding areas offer hiking, golf, arts, culture and more.

If you’re looking for an affordable home, Phoenix made the list of the five cheapest large cities, according to a Debt.com report. With a vacancy rate of 13.13 percent, there should be many options for those looking to buy.

• Total households: 1,868,414
• Total occupied households: 1,623,046
• Total vacant households: 245,368
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 13.13 percent

10. Memphis, Tennessee

Home of the blues, soul and rock & roll, Memphis is the second largest city in Tennessee. The city hosts the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, which attracts more than 75,000 visitors every year. ^[8]

With median home values less than $140,000 and high vacancy rates, Memphis can be an affordable place to buy a home. You may also have more wiggle room when negotiating pricing.

• Total households: 565,954
• Total occupied households: 495,596
• Total vacant households: 70,358
• Percentage of households that are vacant: 12.43 percent

This article by Veneta Lusk was originally published on Debt.com.