Having a pet in New York City can be surprisingly expensive for renters.
As of now, around 94 million households in the U.S. have at least one pet. By 2024, spending on pets in the country is expected to soar to about $152 billion. A study by RentCafe has ranked cities according to how pet-friendly they are for budget-conscious renters, considering both the availability of pet-friendly apartments and the additional costs involved in bringing a furry companion into a rental setup.
In NYC, renters fork out an average of $822.92 in pet deposits and other fees, which is about $300 more than the national average. This makes New York the 7th highest in the Northeast when it comes to pet-friendly rental properties.
Notably, the added costs for pets in New York City are only eclipsed by Jersey City, where those fees can reach an astounding $900.
In this city teeming with pampered pets, there’s everything from dog parades to fancy dog bakeries and lovely parks. On average, pet owners in New York pay about $64.42 per month just for pet rent. That’s surprisingly close to what commuters spend for a monthly subway pass.
Despite the high fees, around 75% of rental properties in New York are still pet-friendly, which is pretty comparable to the regional average of 80%.
In contrast, other areas in the U.S. see much lower costs related to pets. Tenants elsewhere typically spend about $35 on pet rent, while refundable pet deposits average over $300 and non-refundable fees hover around $315.
Regions like the South and Midwest are known for being particularly welcoming to pet owners, with around 83% of their rental listings allowing pets.
Oklahoma stands out with just over 92% of its apartments being pet-friendly, followed closely by Nevada and Arkansas.
When looking at specific metro areas, Oak Park, Illinois, emerges as a fantastic spot for pet owners, boasting an impressive 95.51% of apartments welcoming furry friends at an average cost of just $250. Fargo, North Dakota, and Decatur, Georgia, follow closely behind in these rankings.
