The NBA season is underway with the first preseason game having taken place on Oct. 3 and the regular season starting on Oct. 20. For NBA fans, one coveted spot to live is within walking distance of the stadium, but, as you’d expect, that convenience comes at varying prices.
Apartments.com found the most expensive and affordable neighborhoods near each of the league's 30 arenas. Stadium-adjacent rents run 27.1% above the city average on average, though several still come in under it.
For the analysis, the researchers identified neighborhoods within a 15-minute walk of each arena, extended to 30 minutes for San Antonio and Philadelphia. Each neighborhood was ranked by rent versus the city average, walk time, overall walkability, and transit score.
Atlanta is a standout in this ranking as it is the only city where both neighborhoods rent for less than the citywide average of $1,651/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: Vine City
Vine City sits just west of State Farm Arena and, as a mostly residential neighborhood, it gives fans a quieter walk on shaded streets before the energy of downtown picks up near the arena. Though Northside Drive separates the two, elevated pedestrian bridges and crosswalks allow for a fast break to the stadium.
Most expensive neighborhood: Castleberry Hill
South of the arena, Castleberry Hill offers a more arts-district feel with converted warehouses turned into galleries, independent shops, local restaurants, and lofts. Residents have a straight shot up Walker Street, which turns into Centennial Olympic Park Drive and runs right by the stadium.
Boston's rental market is one of the priciest in the NBA at $3,580/month citywide, but it comes with unmatched proximity. TD Garden sits directly above North Station, where the Green and Orange Lines connect with MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak's Downeaster.
Most affordable neighborhood: West End Boston
West End Boston may not be where TD Garden is located, but its proximity means it’s still a short walk. What makes it stand out from North Station is its pedestrian-friendly landscape with dedicated paths beneath a canopy of trees.
Most expensive neighborhood: North Station
North Station is basically built around TD Garden and the transit hub itself, with newer apartment high-rises just a block or two away. Wide sidewalks make it easy to navigate the area, even during the busiest times.
Brooklyn's citywide average rent of $3,119/month is already steep, and living near Barclays Center pushes rent higher still. These neighborhoods are more than convenient; each has unique character.
Most affordable neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Lined with brownstones, Prospect Heights has a calmer residential core, with most of the businesses and activity concentrated along Flatbush, Vanderbilt, and Washington Avenues. Residents pass brownstone-lined blocks and Vanderbilt Avenue's restaurant strip before opening onto the plaza in front of Barclays Center.
Most expensive neighborhood: Fort Greene
Walking to Barclays Center from Fort Greene may be a longer walk, but it’s a scenic one that passes historic brownstones, the neighborhood’s namesake park, Atlantic Terminal Mall, and several marquees as the atmosphere transitions from a local feel to a bustling city.
While Spectrum Center is accessible from most of Uptown Charlotte, the closest neighborhoods are First Ward and Second Ward. They offer a mix of city and residential living at a premium over Charlotte's $1,470/month citywide average rent.
Most affordable neighborhood: First Ward
Spectrum Center sits in the western corner of First Ward. The neighborhood leans more residential, with mid-rises built around courtyards, parks, and trails that give the trip to the stadium a more suburban feel.
Most expensive neighborhood: Second Ward
Second Ward consists of high-rises containing apartments and offices, giving the area a more urban feel. Yet, heading to the arena doesn’t mean traversing blocks of concrete, as the Charlotte Rail Trail and additional paths through parks and plazas keep much of the walk off the street.
Even though Chicago can get expensive with an average rent of $2,059/month, the United Center’s separation from downtown means that nearby neighborhoods still offer comparable or even more affordable rents.
Most affordable neighborhood: Near West Side
Near West Side’s streets are a mix of rowhomes, smaller apartment communities, and mid-rise buildings. The network of sidewalks and quiet nature of many of the roads make it easy to get to the United Center.
Most expensive neighborhood: West Loop (Western side)
West Loop circles the Fulton Market neighborhood, so renters looking to be near the United Center should focus on the area’s west side. Trips to the stadium here are more urban, passing by modern apartment communities and parking lots with a couple of crossings across major streets.
Rocket Arena is in the heart of Downtown Cleveland, so the nearest neighborhoods are priced higher than the citywide average rent of $1,379/month. However, the city is still one of the more affordable in the ranking.
Most affordable neighborhood: Playhouse Square
Playhouse Square sits east of Rocket Arena, anchored by Cleveland's theater district. As part of downtown, you’re already surrounded by towering buildings and theaters the minute you start your trek. Most of the walk will be along Euclid Avenue’s brick sidewalks lined with shops, restaurants, and office buildings.
Most expensive neighborhood: Public Square
Rocket Arena is in the southern corner of Public Square. This is Downtown Cleveland’s historic civic center, with apartment communities among historic buildings. The walk lets you marvel at the distinct architecture and enjoy the greenery and history of Cleveland Public Square and the Mall’s Fountain of Eternal Life.
Dallas has the shortest walk to the arena of the entire ranking, but the convenience of living downtown comes with some of the highest neighborhood rents compared to the city average of $1,408/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: Victory Park
Victory Park is home to American Airlines Center, and the number of apartment communities surrounding it means walks are only a couple of minutes. Victory Park Lane and the surrounding streets offer generously sized sidewalks for the short stroll, while the Katy Trail ends just a block or so away from the arena, making it easy to pull off a buzzer-beater arrival for tip-off.
Most expensive neighborhood: Uptown Dallas
Where you live in Uptown Dallas changes the walk to the stadium. Those closer to the Katy Trail get a protected path that heads straight to the arena. Those living among the high-rises will pass by those buildings along city blocks lined with shops and restaurants.
Denver's citywide average rent of $1,618/month climbs for renters who want to walk to Ball Arena. The Ball Arena sits right above the Metropolitan State University of Denver, meaning that most of the residential neighborhoods are to the east.
Most affordable neighborhood: LoDo
Denver's historic warehouse district-turned-nightlife hub, LoDo (Lower Downtown), lies northeast of Ball Arena. Bike lanes line the roads, and sidewalks provide plenty of space, making walking easy even in this distinctly urban part of the city.
Most expensive neighborhood: Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park not only puts residents near Ball Arena, but also right along the South Platte River. Trips to the arena will wind through riverfront green spaces, like Commons Park, before heading down Cherry Creek, all on multi-use trails.
Detroit isn’t just for NBA fans — Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, and Ford Field all sit in a tight cluster, within walking distance of each other. This connectivity means that these neighborhoods are pricier than the city’s average rent of $1,120/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: District Detroit
District Detroit is on the other side of I-75, but the QLINE and overpasses make getting to the arena on foot easy. It’s also home to numerous other attractions, like the Fox Theatre and Comerica Park, giving renters plenty to fill their weekends.
Most expensive neighborhood: Woodward
For renters who want to live in the same neighborhood as Little Caesars Arena, Woodward is the right choice. Even the outer edges of the neighborhood are less than a 10-minute walk to the stadium, and some apartment communities sit practically across the street. If you'd rather not walk the whole way, the QLINE will do the carrying for you, no referee required.
San Francisco's citywide average rent of $3,632/month is already one of the highest in this ranking, and rents in both neighborhoods near Chase Center rise well above it.
Most affordable neighborhood: Dogpatch
Dogpatch follows Third Street south of Chase Center, where glimpses of the bay are visible as you head to the stadium. It has a historic-yet-contemporary feel, with many old warehouses converted into apartment communities, shops, and restaurants, and a low-rise skyline that keeps the neighborhood feeling cozy.
Most expensive neighborhood: Mission Bay
Mission Bay is pricey. It’s a modern district built up around UCSF's biomedical campus and close to downtown. The neighborhood is split by Mission Creek Channel, so depending on which side you live on, you may cross a bridge to reach Chase Center.
The Toyota Center sits close to the center of Downtown Houston, so though the city has a lower average rent of $1,177/month, the downtown neighborhoods within walking distance come at a higher price. However, you’ll also get the extra perks of living downtown: entertainment, dining, shopping, and more.
Most affordable neighborhood: Skyline District
Skyline District sits right next to Toyota Center, and walks here are easy despite the dense high-rise setting. Sidewalks were built to accommodate downtown foot traffic and are often filled with people heading to a nearby destination or joining you on the journey to the game.
Most expensive neighborhood: Discovery Green
Fans can cut right through the neighborhood’s namesake park, Discovery Green, to get to Toyota Center. This makes it a pleasant walk, even with Texas weather.
Indianapolis has one of the lowest citywide average rents in the ranking at $1,128/month. However, both neighborhoods near Gainbridge Fieldhouse have rents well over that number.
Most affordable neighborhood: Circle City
Residents in the southern parts of Circle City are within walking distance of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The route isn’t far from the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, which many fans walk past on their way to the game.
Most expensive neighborhood: Market East
Market East sits just as close to the fieldhouse as Circle City, though the walk is through a more residential stretch of downtown. Many blocks consist of apartment communities or townhomes, with a few government buildings and corporate offices mixed in.
Inglewood is home to the Intuit Dome and the expanding entertainment district surrounding the area, including SoFi Stadium and the Kia Forum. This makes it a convenient spot, even though some nearby neighborhoods have average rents over the city’s $1,808/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: Inglewood
Inglewood is the overarching city that is home to the Intuit Dome, and those looking to live within walking distance should investigate its central portion. Apartment communities closer to Intuit Dome and the surrounding entertainment venues tend to command higher rents. Surrounding blocks are generally residential, until you get closer to the stadium, where the streets fill with fans.
Most expensive neighborhood: Morningside Park
Just north of the Intuit Dome is Morningside Park. It encompasses the entertainment corridor in the southwest, with big-box retail on the southeast side. Apartment communities sit among the entertainment venues and shopping malls, offering a balanced landscape for renters.
Los Angeles's citywide average rent of $2,200/month climbs for renters near Crypto.com Arena, though the neighborhoods near the stadium offer some of the shortest walks in the ranking.
Most affordable neighborhood: South Park
South Park wraps around Crypto.com Arena and the L.A. Live entertainment complex, turning game day into a night out. With a higher concentration of high-rises to the north and a lower-rise mix of mid-rises to the south, renters can find the right fit without straying far from the arena.
Most expensive neighborhood: Financial District
North of Crypto.com Arena, the Financial District is the quintessential downtown L.A. experience, with high-rise after high-rise filling the blocks. Walks are straightforward if you stick to the streets. Choose a more scenic route by detouring through the plazas and parks on the way to the entertainment district.
Memphis has the lowest citywide average rent on this list at $1,045/month, which means even the more expensive neighborhoods downtown are still quite affordable compared to the other metros in this ranking.
Most affordable neighborhood: Medical District
Medical District sits east of downtown, anchored by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's campus. Renters wanting a short walk to FedExForum should look toward the west side of the neighborhood, where the route heads into downtown’s grid before reaching the arena.
Most expensive neighborhood: Downtown Memphis
The FedEx Forum is right in the center of Downtown Memphis. The arena is just a block or so away from Beale Street, so the fun can start well before the game and keep going after the final buzzer.
Miami's citywide average rent of $2,253/month rises sharply for renters who want to walk to Kaseya Center. The arena is right on Biscayne Bay, providing a slam-dunk game experience with waterfront views that no other stadium can compare to.
Most affordable neighborhood: Bayfront Park
The Bayfront Park neighborhood and its namesake park provide a scenic way to get to the game. You’ll stroll along the water through the park before heading to the waterside shopping center of Bayside Marketplace. Biscayne Boulevard is also a comfortable place to walk, and it’s a major route where you’ll see plenty of fans in jerseys heading to the game.
Most expensive neighborhood: Park West
With Kaseya Center on its waterfront edge, Park West offers close connectivity. Even from the farthest corner of the neighborhood, you’re only blocks from Biscayne Boulevard. In addition, the area contains the Pérez Art Museum, Miami's waterfront galleries, the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, and Maurice A. Ferre Park for those looking for a scenic detour.
Milwaukee's citywide average rent of $1,224/month jumps in neighborhoods near Fiserv Forum.
Most affordable neighborhood: Westown
Westown sits directly south of Fiserv Forum, with apartment communities clustered in its southeast corner and the rest of the neighborhood given over to venues, shopping, and dining at the Avenue and along Doctor M.L.K. Junior Drive. The most direct route is often the scenic Milwaukee RiverWalk, which leads into the city a couple of blocks before reaching the arena entrance.
Most expensive neighborhood: Brewery District
Brewery District occupies the former Pabst Brewing Company complex, now redeveloped into apartment communities. The compact layout of the neighborhood means the entire area is quite walkable, so the journey to the stadium isn’t too long.
Target Center sits in Downtown Minneapolis, near neighborhoods that have both benefited from the city's skyway system and ongoing downtown residential growth. These neighborhoods have a higher average rent than the city’s $1,411/month, due to their popularity.
Most affordable neighborhood: Downtown West
Downtown West surrounds Target Center and Nicollet Mall, all connected by the Minneapolis Skyway System. Much of the walk can be done entirely indoors via the skyway, connecting directly into the arena on the coldest game days.
Most expensive neighborhood: North Loop
North Loop is Minneapolis's former warehouse district. Most apartment communities are right next to Target Field, and just a block or two farther from Target Center. As a bike-friendly city, many streets have bike lanes, providing another way to get to Target Center.
Rents near Smoothie King Center are much higher than New Orleans's citywide average rent of $1,279/month. The center sits right next to Caesars Superdome, so renters here share the downtown sports district on NFL game days as well as NBA ones.
Most affordable neighborhood: New Orleans CBD (Central Business District)
New Orleans CBD is just west of Smoothie King Center, between the arena and Canal Street's historic streetcar line into the French Quarter. The easiest way to get to the arena is to head up to Loyola Avenue and take that straight there.
Most expensive neighborhood: Warehouse District
The Smoothie King Center sits at the top of Warehouse District, which stretches all the way to the Mississippi River. Also known as the Arts District, the streets you’ll traverse are lined with museums and galleries, and you may even get to pass through historic Lafayette Square along the way.
Madison Square Garden sits atop Penn Station in the middle of Manhattan. In the heart of New York, it comes with high rents, as the borough average is $4,211/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: Garment District
Just a street above Madison Square Garden is the Garment District. 8th Avenue leads directly to the stadium in just a couple of minutes. Fans call out chants on the walk to the game, and the streets stay packed the whole way.
Most expensive neighborhood: Chelsea
Madison Square Garden resides in Chelsea’s northeast corner, but it’s easily reachable from any part of the neighborhood. The subway runs under 8th Avenue, and the arena sits right next to Penn Station. Like most of New York, though, Chelsea is quite walkable, and you’ll find the streets packed whether there’s a game or not.
Oklahoma City has the lowest citywide average rent among all 30 cities in this ranking, at just $937/month. However, that low baseline makes the downtown premiums look even higher, even though the actual rents are much lower than in other cities.
Most affordable neighborhood: Deep Deuce
Deep Deuce is the primarily residential area above Bricktown. That means that residents have easy access to the Paycom Center but can also make a full evening of it, thanks to the shops, restaurants, and activities on the canal in Bricktown.
Most expensive neighborhood: Arts District
Arts District covers a large portion of downtown with the Paycom Center in its southeastern corner. It may mean a longer walk depending on where you live, but you’ll get to experience a slice of OKC’s history by passing its museums, shops, gardens, and restaurants.
Orlando’s average rent of $1,584/month is right between the most affordable and most expensive neighborhoods within walking distance of the Kia Center. The center is located at the interchange of I-4 and FL-408 (Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway).
Most affordable neighborhood: Parramore
Parramore may have fewer apartment communities than nearby neighborhoods, but the area offers unmatched access to the Kia Center. Some communities are adjacent to the stadium, meaning residents just have to cross the street. Even those further out get well-maintained, well-lit sidewalks that make the trip simple.
Most expensive neighborhood: Lake Eola
While locals will have to pass under I-4 to get to the Kia Center, it’s not complicated thanks to clear sidewalks and crosswalks. The upside of living in Lake Eola is that restaurants are plentiful for a pre- or post-game meal, and the area has more of a city feel.
The Xfinity Mobile Arena is a bit different from the other stadiums as it is located in a more commercial and entertainment area, next to Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, and parking lots. That means renters will have to travel farther to get to the stadium, but its location also means rents vary both on the higher and lower side compared to the city’s average of $1,775/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: South Philadelphia West
South Philadelphia West is the stretch of rowhome blocks west of the sports complex. Those looking to be within walking distance of the arena will need to look near Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, which is surrounded by major roads such as Pattison Avenue and Broad Street for direct connections to the arena. Just know that the commute runs a bit longer out here. Any farther and the refs would have to call traveling.
Most expensive neighborhood: South Philadelphia East
South Philadelphia East is a large neighborhood that includes the entertainment area with Xfinity Mobile Arena, sandwiched between League Island and the southern edges of Philadelphia proper. League Island contains a few apartment communities that keep residents near a direct path to the arena via Broad Street, where the sidewalk has been repaved into a two-lane path for even easier trips.
Living near the Mortgage Matchup Center means that renters will face higher rents than Phoenix’s average of $1,302/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt Row is the artsy heart of the city, with theaters, art galleries, and murals covering walls. It also has an urban feel, with plenty of high-rises and compact streets. This unique combination makes for a scenic walk to the center.
Most expensive neighborhood: Warehouse District
Warehouse District sits right next to the Mortgage Matchup Center, and the surrounding area carries more of a city air as a result. Apartment communities here all sit within a block or two of the venue, making trips short and easy.
Portland's citywide average rent of $1,530/month rises only modestly for renters near Moda Center, making it one of the more affordable markets in this ranking. The Moda Center sits in East Portland, so renters looking to live near it can avoid the high prices of Downtown Portland.
Most affordable neighborhood: South Eliot
South Eliot is right above Lloyd District and the Moda Center, so many residents won’t have to cross I-5 to get there. Those in the northern parts of South Eliot who do have to cross the interstate will find bridges built for that purpose, with bikers, pedestrians, and cars regularly using them.
Most expensive neighborhood: Lloyd District
Lloyd District is home to the Moda Center. Since the center sits near the Willamette River with I-5 separating it from the neighborhood’s residential blocks, most renters headed to the game will have to make that crossing. However, several roads pass under the highway with wide sidewalks and bike lanes.
Sacramento's citywide average rent of $1,576/month rises much higher for renters who want to walk to Golden 1 Center. Golden 1 Center is centrally located, just blocks away from Old Sacramento Waterfront and the California State Capitol, with the Downtown Commons shopping and dining district right next to it.
Most affordable neighborhood: Capitol Park
Capitol Park is the more urban part of Sacramento. This makes it easy to walk around, and you might even be able to pass through the beautiful California State Capitol Park on your way to the game. With the historic buildings scattered throughout, you’ll also pass several distinct landmarks along the way.
Most expensive neighborhood: Old Sacramento
Living in Old Sacramento means a waterfront location, historic scenery, and being mere blocks from the Golden 1 Center. Its historic setting makes the neighborhood feel like a different city entirely, even though a short walk down Capitol Mall takes you to the Golden 1 Center and the high-rises of downtown. The historic district is highly walkable, and Capitol Mall continues that walkability to downtown.
Like in Philadelphia, San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center is in a cluster of venues and convention halls, all surrounded by parking lots. This means that walks will be longer, even in the closest neighborhoods. This provides nearby neighborhoods with rents lower than the city average of $1,060/month.
Most affordable neighborhood: Eastside Promise
Right to the west of the Frost Bank Center is Eastside Promise. While it’s close to the center, railroad tracks mean residents cross major roads before reaching the area. Even so, the neighborhood’s residential character makes for a peaceful walk.
Most expensive neighborhood: Coliseum Willow Park
Coliseum Willow Park is a large neighborhood where renters living in the southern parts pass through the commercial and industrial area separating the residential part from the Frost Bank Center. Locals more west will have a longer walk; however, the Salado Creek Greenway offers a nice rebound, giving residents a car-free path straight to the center.
Toronto's citywide average rent of $1,979/month (CAD) rises sharply for renters near Scotiabank Arena, as it is in the cluster of entertainment along the waterfront.
Most affordable neighborhood: Bay Street Corridor
Bay Street Corridor is centered on Bay Street, as its name implies, and is Toronto's financial district. Renters will have to look closer to the Scotiabank Arena in the southern parts of the neighborhood to be within walking distance. Fans can walk much of the route on the city streets or through the underground PATH system, slipping underground and surfacing near Scotiabank Arena's entrances.
Most expensive neighborhood: Waterfront Communities-The Island
Waterfront Communities-The Island runs all along the waterfront, offering the scenic Martin Goodman Trail to get to the arena while passing numerous attractions. Bremner Boulevard provides a more urban walk by skyscrapers and venues.
Salt Lake City's citywide average rent of $1,414/month rises only modestly for neighborhoods near the Delta Center. However, walkability and transit scores differ widely between the two options.
Most affordable neighborhood: Downtown Salt Lake City
Some apartment communities in Downtown Salt Lake City sit right across the street from the stadium, or just a block or two away. The Gateway, a major shopping mall, sits right next to the center, if you want a full evening or day out. The city’s streetcar also runs through the area if you want an alternative to walking.
Most expensive neighborhood: Central Salt Lake City
Apartment communities are spread throughout Central Salt Lake City, so renters can live as close or as far as they’d like — some even as close as just across the street from the Delta Center. Central Salt Lake City sits closer to Capitol Hill, in the shadow of the Utah State Capitol's domed rotunda overlooking the valley.
Washington's downtown core proves that proximity to the arena doesn't come cheap. The citywide rent averages $2,305/month, and both neighborhoods surrounding Capital One Arena come in even higher. However, those prices come with the positives of near-perfect walkability and excellent transit access found in few other cities.
Most affordable neighborhood: Chinatown
Chinatown is built directly around Capital One Arena, marked by its ornamental Friendship Archway. It's one of the shortest walks in this ranking, running right through the neighborhood's restaurant and theater strip.
Most expensive neighborhood: Penn Quarter
Penn Quarter is west of Chinatown, a historic district known for its 19th-century architecture, art galleries, and museums. It's a longer walk to the arena, through some of downtown D.C.'s most historic blocks. Yet, there are still plenty of restaurants and shops to stop at before or after the game.
Some of the best game-day moments happen before you even reach your seat, like weaving through a street packed with fellow fans, grabbing a bite steps from the arena, or making the short walk home after a win. Living near an NBA stadium puts that experience within reach.
Which NBA city is the best to live in?
The best NBA city to live in depends on who you are. Renters chasing walkability and nightlife might love Boston or Chicago, while those wanting lower costs and a quieter pace could prefer Memphis or Oklahoma City.
What state has no NBA teams?
Many states have no NBA teams; in fact, 29 states don’t have one.
What is the biggest city without an NBA team?
A lot of major cities don’t have NBA teams. This includes Seattle, Las Vegas (though it has plans to create one), and more.
This story was produced by Apartments.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
