Given the housing market’s volatile and competitive nature for buyers, apartment living is on an upward trend in the U.S., with over 417,000 new units entering the market in 2021 alone.

With more renters signing longer-term contracts than ever, their expectations of amenities have also heightened — and developers have rushed to deliver. 

A recent StorageCafe housing trends report found that mid-sized cities in Arizona and Texas lead the U.S. for premier apartment living. Of the country’s 100 biggest cities, four in Texas, including Houston, made the list of the top 20 cities for high-end apartment living.

Plano ranks first among Texas cities and third nationally, with 98.5% of its new apartments offering top-notch living. Irving ranks sixth for luxury apartments, with 97% of the apartments built since 2012 showcasing top-rated amenities, followed by Dallas at No. 7, with 96% of its apartments boasting high-end features.

Houston secured the 13th position on the list, with 94% of apartments built in the past decade featuring luxurious amenities and measuring about 137 square feet bigger than non-luxury units.

Additionally, the report shows that more new apartments (77,000) were constructed in Houston between 2012 and 2021 than in any other U.S. city.

According to StorageCafe, 86% of the new apartments delivered over the past decade are classified as luxury dwellings. Resort-like pools, tennis courts, putting greens, pet spas with dog pools and washing stations, business lounges and EV charging stations are now the new normal in many of the new apartment communities around the nation.

“I think we’ll see a larger focus on indoor air quality and broadband/5G networks being turned into a selling feature in the near future,” said Robert M. Aydukovic, teaching specialist at Michigan State University. “Buildings with larger units that provide more space for spreading out, plus a home office, and don’t make us feel so confined if we have to enter lockdown periods, will be in higher demand for a time. Buildings in close proximity to outdoor space for distancing and recreation will outperform.”