Charlotte ranks No. 1 for pet-friendly rentals in the U.S.
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Meet four of Axios Charlotte team's four-legged roommates. From left: X, Charlie, Hypotenuse and Blumey. Photos: Melissa Oyler and Ashley Mahoney
When it comes to pet-friendly rentals, Charlotte is top dog.
Why it matters: From parks and the rail trail to dog-friendly bars and cat cafes, Charlotte has plenty of places to take — and find — four-legged friends. And the city's rental market reflects that pet-loving culture.
Driving the news: Charlotte ranks No. 1 among the nation's 50 largest metros for pet-friendly rentals, according to a new Zillow report.
- 91.6% of Charlotte rental listings on Zillow allow pets, compared to 77.3% nationwide.
- That's up from 75% in 2024, when Charlotte ranked fourth in a separate Zillow and BARK analysis.
By the numbers: Nationwide, 59% of renter households have at least one pet, compared to 37% with children, per the report.
- Plus, 65% of renters say pet-friendliness is essential when choosing a rental.
Zoom out: Austin trails Charlotte by just 0.1 percentage points, followed by Denver, Dallas and Nashville. Raleigh also lands in the top 10 at No. 6.
- On the flip side, Providence, Rhode Island and New York City have the fewest pet-friendly rentals among major metros.
Between the lines: While Charlotte has plenty of pet-friendly housing, many animals are still waiting for homes.
- North Carolina's reporting public shelters took in more than 150,000 dogs and cats in 2025, according to state data compiled by NC Pet Project.
- Want to help? You can take a shelter dog for a run with Zoomie Toomey Run Club, sign up for a doggy "Daycation" through Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control or consider fostering.
The bottom line: Whether you're looking for a new rental or a new four-legged roommate, you'll find plenty of options for both in Charlotte.
Go deeper: Charlotte's most popular dog breeds.