Rentberry’s Picks: LGBTQ-Friendly Cities to Live in the United States

As you might have probably figured out, the US is one of the best countries when it comes to LGBTQ+-friendly places to live in. After all, the United States is one of the 34 countries around the world where same-sex marriage is recognized and performed. 

However, the US itself is very diverse, and some of the states and cities might be significantly more gay-friendly than others. To make sure you’ll be happy not only with your home itself but also with the area and community, here’s a list of the most LGBT-friendly cities to live in the United States. 

San Francisco, California

“Gay capital of the world” is a place where anyone is welcome, no matter if you’re openly gay, transgender, bisexual, or still on your way to self-discovery. San Francisco might be one of the most expensive places to live on this list, but if this doesn’t scare you off and you’re searching for a city where you can enjoy the most being in your element, it is the place to be! 

You can live in Balboa Park and enjoy a peaceful life with your partner or spend every second night in clubs and bars; you will feel like you belong either way. After all, what else would you expect from the city of the blasting Pride Parade and the birthplace of the rainbow flag!

Austin, Texas

You might not think Texas is the most gay-friendly state in the United States, but its capital is an entirely different story! The city’s unofficial motto is “Keep Austin Weird,” and it gladly greets anyone who is searching for a place to be accepted for who they are.

Austin has been acknowledged as one of the best cities for gay dating with its abundance of bars, restaurants, and clubs. The most popular gay neighborhood will probably be East Austin; however, the whole city is really warm and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.

New York City, New York

New York City is another gay paradise that does not need any further introduction. The history of the gay community in New York has been so monumental that LGBTQ+ culture is one of the significant elements of NYC itself in our times. 

Here you don’t have to worry about searching for the best neighborhood to rent your place in; each borough is gay-friendly and can offer extraordinary gay events, bars, and clubs, as well as some historical landmarks. To be specific, among the most popular gay neighborhoods in New York, you can find Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Jackson Heights, and Park Slope. 

New York should also be one of your top two choices if you’re into drag, as its famous drag scene is unbeatable!

Portland, Oregon

If you prefer to live in a smaller and quieter gay-friendly city, you should consider renting a place in Portland. This city is progressive and accepting, so you will definitely feel at home, and it has one of the largest percentages of LGBTQ+ residents among major US cities. 

Also, Portland is well-known for its art and culture scene, great places to eat and drink, proximity to nature, and laid-back way of living. A real paradise for many of us!

Boston, Massachusets

Boston rightfully takes its place on the list of the most gay-friendly cities in the US, as, after all, Massachusetts was the first state in the whole country to legalize gay marriages in 2004. Many things have changed since then, but Boston still lives up to the title of LGBTQ+ friendly place.

There are plenty of great bars and clubs scattered across the city, but the most well-known gay areas include the South End and Jamaica Plain. Additionally, every year Boston hosts some big events dedicated to the community, such as Boston Pride Parade and Wicked Queer, and the Boston LGBT Film Festival.

Seattle, Washington

Same sex-couple households: 2.0%
Median household income: $93,481
Average rental price: $2,978

Seattle might not be the first place that will come to your mind if you think of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the US. But, surprisingly, it’s at the very top of the list! For example, the data from 2020 shows that 10.7% of Seattle residents identified themselves as LGBTQ+, which is one of the highest figures in the country. 

For a long time, the gay scene of Seattle was mostly concentrated around Capitol Hill. From the 1960s, it was home to the city’s gay community, with countless gay-friendly bars, clubs, and restaurants in the area. Recent gentrification has zhuzhed it up a bit, and Capitol Hill is now much different from what it used to be. It’s still an epicenter of LGBTQ+ life, but now you can feel like you belong anywhere you go in this vibrant city.

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Each of the cities on the list has an entirely different vibe, energy, and cost of living. But there is one thing they all have in common — you can be yourself here, surrounded by a community of accepting and progressive people. And when you decide to choose an apartment to rent in one of these places, Rentberry got you covered!

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