ApartmentAdvisor National Rent Report

May 2026

The ApartmentAdvisor National Rent Report is published monthly and includes national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city.

Overview

Rent has increased across all apartments types in line with the seasonal rent swing.
A population boom has driven up rent prices in Fargo, ND.
Median prices are increasing across the state of New Mexico.

Need help setting rent prices for your property? Try our free rental pricing tool here.

U.S. National Rent Trends

The median national rent for a 1-bedroom rental apartment in the U.S. was $1,550 in May 2026, 2.65% higher than the median national rent for April.

	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	3 Bed
Median Rent	$1,596	$1,550	$1,679	$2,042
1 Month Change	+3%	+2.6%	+1.8%	+2.1%
3 Month Change	+4.5%	+3.7%	+4.9%	+4.7%
1 Year Change	+1.3%	-0.5%	-0.9%	+2.1%

Median Rents

Studio$1,596 (+3%)

1 Bedroom$1,550 (+2.6%)

2 Bedrooms$1,679 (+1.8%)

3 Bedrooms$2,042 (+2.1%)

Rent Prices Over Time in the U.S.

Key Findings

National Overview: Busy season has started for apartment rentals and prices are increasing accordingly.

The national median asking rent price of a one-bedroom apartment ($1,550) increased by 2.6% from April to May. This is in line with seasonal increases we've seen in the past. The summer tends to be the most popular — and as a result, the most expensive — time of year for renters to start a new lease. These swings are often less dramatic in areas where the weather is warm year-round (Think: The Southeast and Southwest) and more prominent in areas with harsh winters that make moving apartments difficult (like the Midwest and Northeast). We expect to see the median rent price continue to increase through August based on past trends.

Regional Spotlight: A historic population boom has led to rapidly increasing rent prices in Fargo, ND.

Population growth in North Dakota over the last two decades (+24%) is outpacing the nation — and its impacts are especially noticeable in major city centers like Fargo. The most populous city in North Dakota, Fargo is home to a major Microsoft office space, several corporate headquarters for banking, insurance, and manufacturing companies, and to North Dakota State University. While employment opportunities and population have both been increasing significantly over the years, wages and affordable housing supply have not; many renters cannot stomach the high costs of newer rental properties in Fargo. As a result, the median rent price for a one-bedroom apartment in Fargo is up 4.8% MoM and 14.1% YoY. Prices are increasing at a similar rate for two-bedroom apartments as well.

Average Rent by City

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities to Rent an Apartment

1. San Francisco, CA$4,030 (+4.7%)

2. New York, NY$3,800 (-0.8%)

3. Boston, MA$2,857 (+0.2%)

4. Jersey City, NJ$2,595 (-0.3%)

5. Chicago, IL$2,354 (-0.4%)

6. Charleston, SC$2,306 (+6.6%)

7. Miami, FL$2,250 (+7.1%)

8. Washington, DC$2,200 (-2.2%)

9. San Jose, CA$2,195 (-0.2%)

10. San Diego, CA$2,175 (-0.2%)

Rank #	City	Median Rent	1 Month Change	Rank Change
1	San Francisco, CA	$4,030	+4.7%	-
2	New York, NY	$3,800	-0.8%	-
3	Boston, MA	$2,857	+0.2%	-
4	Jersey City, NJ	$2,595	-0.3%	-
5	Chicago, IL	$2,354	-0.4%	-
6	Charleston, SC	$2,306	+6.6%	↑3
7	Miami, FL	$2,250	+7.1%	↑3
8	Washington, DC	$2,200	-2.2%	↓2
9	San Jose, CA	$2,195	-0.2%	↓2
10	San Diego, CA	$2,175	-0.2%	↓2

Top 10 Least Expensive Cities to Rent an Apartment

1. Wichita, KS$718 (+2.6%)

2. Toledo, OH$748 (+2.3%)

3. Huntsville, AL$760 (-1.3%)

4. El Paso, TX$775 (+3.3%)

5. Lincoln, NE$791 (-1%)

6. Akron, OH$825 (+0.6%)

7. Baton Rouge, LA$835 (-7.1%)

8. Oklahoma City, OK$860 (-3.4%)

9. Tulsa, OK$869 (-0.4%)

10. Fayetteville, NC$873 (+4.6%)

Rank #	City	Median Rent	1 Month Change	Rank Change
1	Wichita, KS	$718	+2.6%	-
2	Toledo, OH	$748	+2.3%	-
3	Huntsville, AL	$760	-1.3%	↑1
4	El Paso, TX	$775	+3.3%	↓1
5	Lincoln, NE	$791	-1%	-
6	Akron, OH	$825	+0.6%	-
7	Baton Rouge, LA	$835	-7.1%	↑10
8	Oklahoma City, OK	$860	-3.4%	↑6
9	Tulsa, OK	$869	-0.4%	↑1
10	Fayetteville, NC	$873	+4.6%	↓3

Rent Prices in 100 Major Cities

This table shows median rent data for 100 major cities in the US.

New York, NY$3,800 (-0.8%)

Los Angeles, CA$2,035 (+1.7%)

Chicago, IL$2,354 (-0.4%)

Houston, TX$1,098 (-15%)

Phoenix, AZ$1,150 (+1%)

Philadelphia, PA$1,425 (+2.2%)

San Antonio, TX$899 (+0.4%)

San Diego, CA$2,175 (-0.2%)

Dallas, TX$1,288 (-1%)

San Jose, CA$2,195 (-0.2%)

Austin, TX$1,299 (-0.2%)

Jacksonville, FL$1,042 (-0.8%)

Fort Worth, TX$1,426 (+1.8%)

Columbus, OH$1,150 (-2.4%)

Charlotte, NC$1,454 (-5.1%)

San Francisco, CA$4,030 (+4.7%)

Indianapolis, IN$913 (-1.3%)

Seattle, WA$1,825 (+1.3%)

Denver, CO$1,494 (+2.8%)

Washington, DC$2,200 (-2.2%)

Boston, MA$2,857 (+0.2%)

El Paso, TX$775 (+3.3%)

Nashville, TN$1,599 (+1.5%)

Detroit, MI$925 (+2.8%)

Oklahoma City, OK$860 (-3.4%)

Portland, OR$1,389 (-0.4%)

Las Vegas, NV$1,036 (+1.9%)

Memphis, TN$895 (0%)

Louisville, KY$895 (+4.1%)

Baltimore, MD$1,295 (+3.6%)

Milwaukee, WI$1,183 (-0.2%)

Albuquerque, NM$900 (0%)

Tucson, AZ$895 (-0.6%)

Fresno, CA$1,219 (-2.5%)

Sacramento, CA$1,450 (-2.7%)

Atlanta, GA$1,597 (+1.2%)

Kansas City, MO$1,170 (+1.3%)

Colorado Springs, CO$999 (+0.4%)

Omaha, NE$970 (+1.8%)

Raleigh, NC$1,130 (+1.7%)

Miami, FL$2,250 (+7.1%)

Virginia Beach, VA$1,563 (-0.7%)

Oakland, CA$1,999 (+2.5%)

Minneapolis, MN$1,126 (-0.4%)

Tulsa, OK$869 (-0.4%)

Tampa, FL$1,435 (0%)

New Orleans, LA$1,294 (-0.4%)

Wichita, KS$718 (+2.6%)

Cleveland, OH$995 (+4.7%)

Honolulu, HI$1,950 (-0.3%)

Riverside, CA$1,795 (0%)

Corpus Christi, TX$898 (-0.2%)

Lexington, KY$895 (-5.4%)

St. Paul, MN$1,054 (+0.8%)

Cincinnati, OH$1,027 (+0.2%)

St. Louis, MO$925 (-2.6%)

Pittsburgh, PA$1,322 (+2.1%)

Greensboro, NC$961 (+1.2%)

Lincoln, NE$791 (-1%)

Anchorage, AK$1,300 (0%)

Orlando, FL$1,363 (-2.3%)

Newark, NJ$1,699 (+6.3%)

Toledo, OH$748 (+2.3%)

Fort Wayne, IN$881 (+1%)

St. Petersburg, FL$1,450 (-3.1%)

Jersey City, NJ$2,595 (-0.3%)

Madison, WI$1,565 (+1%)

Reno, NV$1,299 (-0.8%)

Buffalo, NY$1,095 (-0.5%)

Richmond, VA$1,330 (+2.1%)

Boise, ID$1,227 (-3.6%)

Spokane, WA$1,050 (+0.1%)

Baton Rouge, LA$835 (-7.1%)

Des Moines, IA$895 (+0.7%)

Fayetteville, NC$873 (+4.6%)

Birmingham, AL$908 (+3%)

Rochester, NY$1,250 (0%)

Grand Rapids, MI$1,225 (+2.5%)

Huntsville, AL$760 (-1.3%)

Salt Lake City, UT$1,175 (-0%)

Augusta, GA$973 (+1.5%)

Akron, OH$825 (+0.6%)

Little Rock, AR$901 (-3.6%)

Tallahassee, FL$977 (-0.5%)

Sioux Falls, SD$912 (+4.6%)

Providence, RI$1,850 (+2.8%)

Jackson, MS-

Savannah, GA$1,525 (-2.4%)

Charleston, SC$2,306 (+6.6%)

Cedar Rapids, IA$1,013 (+3.4%)

Fargo, ND$970 (+4.8%)

Hartford, CT$1,304 (-1.9%)

Ann Arbor, MI$1,450 (-6.5%)

Manchester, NH$1,625 (+1.9%)

Billings, MT$1,395 (+1.6%)

Wilmington, DE-

Portland, ME-

Cheyenne, WY-

Charleston, WV-

Burlington, VT-

City	Population	Median Rent	1 Month Change	1 Year Change
New York, NY	8,336,820	$3,800	-0.8%	+4.1%
Los Angeles, CA	3,979,580	$2,035	+1.7%	-4.3%
Chicago, IL	2,693,980	$2,354	-0.4%	+20.7%
Houston, TX	2,320,270	$1,098	-15%	-15.3%
Phoenix, AZ	1,680,990	$1,150	+1%	-8%
Philadelphia, PA	1,584,060	$1,425	+2.2%	+1.8%
San Antonio, TX	1,547,250	$899	+0.4%	-1.7%
San Diego, CA	1,423,850	$2,175	-0.2%	-0.9%
Dallas, TX	1,343,570	$1,288	-1%	-6.6%
San Jose, CA	1,021,800	$2,195	-0.2%	+4.6%
Austin, TX	978,908	$1,299	-0.2%	+3.9%
Jacksonville, FL	911,507	$1,042	-0.8%	-5.2%
Fort Worth, TX	909,585	$1,426	+1.8%	+2.2%
Columbus, OH	898,553	$1,150	-2.4%	-5%
Charlotte, NC	885,708	$1,454	-5.1%	-10.5%
San Francisco, CA	881,549	$4,030	+4.7%	+27.9%
Indianapolis, IN	876,384	$913	-1.3%	+1.6%
Seattle, WA	753,675	$1,825	+1.3%	-1.1%
Denver, CO	727,211	$1,494	+2.8%	-5.6%
Washington, DC	705,749	$2,200	-2.2%	-4%
Boston, MA	692,600	$2,857	+0.2%	+2.8%
El Paso, TX	681,728	$775	+3.3%	+8%
Nashville, TN	670,820	$1,599	+1.5%	+3.3%
Detroit, MI	670,031	$925	+2.8%	-2.6%
Oklahoma City, OK	655,057	$860	-3.4%	-2%
Portland, OR	654,741	$1,389	-0.4%	+0.3%
Las Vegas, NV	651,319	$1,036	+1.9%	-5.4%
Memphis, TN	651,073	$895	0%	0%
Louisville, KY	617,638	$895	+4.1%	+0.2%
Baltimore, MD	593,490	$1,295	+3.6%	-1.7%
Milwaukee, WI	590,157	$1,183	-0.2%	+7.9%
Albuquerque, NM	560,513	$900	0%	+1.3%
Tucson, AZ	548,073	$895	-0.6%	0%
Fresno, CA	531,576	$1,219	-2.5%	-3.8%
Sacramento, CA	513,624	$1,450	-2.7%	0%
Atlanta, GA	506,811	$1,597	+1.2%	+3.4%
Kansas City, MO	495,327	$1,170	+1.3%	+11.2%
Colorado Springs, CO	478,221	$999	+0.4%	+0.4%
Omaha, NE	478,192	$970	+1.8%	+1.1%
Raleigh, NC	474,069	$1,130	+1.7%	-1.7%
Miami, FL	467,963	$2,250	+7.1%	+7.1%
Virginia Beach, VA	449,974	$1,563	-0.7%	+1.5%
Oakland, CA	433,031	$1,999	+2.5%	+8%
Minneapolis, MN	429,606	$1,126	-0.4%	+4.8%
Tulsa, OK	401,190	$869	-0.4%	-3.4%
Tampa, FL	399,700	$1,435	0%	-4.2%
New Orleans, LA	390,144	$1,294	-0.4%	-6.5%
Wichita, KS	389,938	$718	+2.6%	+2.6%
Cleveland, OH	381,009	$995	+4.7%	+17.1%
Honolulu, HI	345,064	$1,950	-0.3%	-2.5%
Riverside, CA	331,360	$1,795	0%	+2.6%
Corpus Christi, TX	326,586	$898	-0.2%	-11.3%
Lexington, KY	323,152	$895	-5.4%	-0.3%
St. Paul, MN	308,096	$1,054	+0.8%	+0.4%
Cincinnati, OH	303,940	$1,027	+0.2%	+3.2%
St. Louis, MO	300,576	$925	-2.6%	-1.9%
Pittsburgh, PA	300,286	$1,322	+2.1%	+3.7%
Greensboro, NC	296,710	$961	+1.2%	+3.3%
Lincoln, NE	289,102	$791	-1%	-5.5%
Anchorage, AK	288,000	$1,300	0%	+2%
Orlando, FL	287,442	$1,363	-2.3%	+0.9%
Newark, NJ	282,011	$1,699	+6.3%	+3%
Toledo, OH	272,779	$748	+2.3%	+6.5%
Fort Wayne, IN	270,402	$881	+1%	+8%
St. Petersburg, FL	265,351	$1,450	-3.1%	-9.1%
Jersey City, NJ	262,075	$2,595	-0.3%	+8.1%
Madison, WI	259,680	$1,565	+1%	-5.2%
Reno, NV	255,601	$1,299	-0.8%	+4%
Buffalo, NY	255,284	$1,095	-0.5%	-10.7%
Richmond, VA	230,436	$1,330	+2.1%	+2.3%
Boise, ID	228,959	$1,227	-3.6%	-5.6%
Spokane, WA	222,081	$1,050	+0.1%	0%
Baton Rouge, LA	220,236	$835	-7.1%	-6.7%
Des Moines, IA	214,237	$895	+0.7%	+0.7%
Fayetteville, NC	211,657	$873	+4.6%	+5.9%
Birmingham, AL	209,403	$908	+3%	-2.6%
Rochester, NY	205,695	$1,250	0%	+11.1%
Grand Rapids, MI	201,013	$1,225	+2.5%	-3.4%
Huntsville, AL	200,574	$760	-1.3%	-3.2%
Salt Lake City, UT	200,567	$1,175	-0%	-2.1%
Augusta, GA	197,888	$973	+1.5%	+2.8%
Akron, OH	197,597	$825	+0.6%	+6.5%
Little Rock, AR	197,312	$901	-3.6%	-1.8%
Tallahassee, FL	194,500	$977	-0.5%	+8.6%
Sioux Falls, SD	183,793	$912	+4.6%	+1.4%
Providence, RI	179,883	$1,850	+2.8%	0%
Jackson, MS	160,628	-	-	-
Savannah, GA	144,464	$1,525	-2.4%	-3.2%
Charleston, SC	137,566	$2,306	+6.6%	+7.8%
Cedar Rapids, IA	133,562	$1,013	+3.4%	+44.7%
Fargo, ND	124,662	$970	+4.8%	+14.1%
Hartford, CT	122,105	$1,304	-1.9%	+3.8%
Ann Arbor, MI	119,980	$1,450	-6.5%	-14.7%
Manchester, NH	112,673	$1,625	+1.9%	+5.2%
Billings, MT	109,577	$1,395	+1.6%	+46.8%
Wilmington, DE	70,166	-	-	-
Portland, ME	66,215	-	-	-
Cheyenne, WY	64,235	-	-	-
Charleston, WV	46,536	-	-	-
Burlington, VT	42,819	-	-	-

To download this data as a CSV, click .

Average Rent by State

Restrictive development laws are leading to major rent growth and a housing shortage in New Mexico.

While the rest of the Southwest has seen an abundance of new housing in accordance with population growth, New Mexico has not followed suit. The state is the only one in the Southwest that has not passed laws to allow more housing development — causing price increases on older housing stock. At the state level, renters in New Mexico tend to be cost burdened. At least half spend a third of their income on rent, while 25% of renters spends more than half of their income on housing.

State	Median Rent	1 Month Change	1 Year Change
Delaware	-	-	-
Hawaii	$2,000	-4.3%	0%
Puerto Rico	-	-	-
Texas	$1,063	-3.3%	-7.5%
Massachusetts	$2,600	0%	+0.1%
Maryland	$1,420	-1.5%	-5.3%
Iowa	$871	+0.7%	+2.5%
Maine	$1,350	-3.2%	+0%
Idaho	$1,150	-3.4%	-3.8%
Michigan	$1,033	+3.2%	-0.4%
Utah	$1,121	+0%	-2.5%
Minnesota	$1,174	-0.7%	+5.3%
Missouri	$945	-0.5%	+5.6%
Illinois	$2,095	0%	+19.7%
Indiana	$912	-0.3%	+1.4%
Mississippi	$900	+0.1%	-1.6%
Montana	$1,378	+2.1%	+14.9%
Alaska	$1,313	+1%	+1%
Alabama	$875	+0.3%	+1.7%
Virginia	$1,441	-0.6%	+3.8%
Arkansas	$795	-3.6%	+0.6%
North Carolina	$1,130	-1.5%	-1.7%
North Dakota	$945	+2.2%	+8.6%
Nebraska	$950	+2.7%	+2.7%
Rhode Island	$1,695	+3.1%	+7.8%
Arizona	$1,093	-0.2%	-5.5%
New Hampshire	$1,689	+3.6%	+5%
New Jersey	$2,129	+1.4%	+0.5%
Vermont	$1,533	-4.2%	-8.2%
New Mexico	$950	+4.2%	+5.6%
Florida	$1,395	0%	-3.8%
Nevada	$1,185	+0.9%	-1%
Washington	$1,650	+2.3%	+3%
New York	$3,594	+2.7%	+5.2%
South Carolina	$1,155	+0.9%	-1.6%
South Dakota	$918	+2.8%	+2%
Wisconsin	$1,300	0%	+4%
Ohio	$945	-0.5%	+2.7%
Georgia	$1,235	-1.7%	-4.9%
Oklahoma	$835	-1.4%	-1.8%
California	$1,995	0%	-0.3%
West Virginia	$777	+3.6%	+10.9%
Wyoming	$897	+0.2%	+5.5%
Oregon	$1,325	0%	-1.3%
Kansas	$775	0%	+3.3%
Colorado	$1,300	+0.4%	-3.7%
Kentucky	$886	+0.7%	+1.3%
Connecticut	$1,748	+1.4%	-2.1%
Pennsylvania	$1,295	0%	+2%
Louisiana	$981	-1.4%	-6.6%
Tennessee	$1,046	+0.1%	-0.3%
Washington DC	$2,200	-2.3%	-4.1%

Delaware-

Hawaii$2,000 (-4.3%)

Puerto Rico-

Texas$1,063 (-3.3%)

Massachusetts$2,600 (0%)

Maryland$1,420 (-1.5%)

Iowa$871 (+0.7%)

Maine$1,350 (-3.2%)

Idaho$1,150 (-3.4%)

Michigan$1,033 (+3.2%)

Utah$1,121 (+0%)

Minnesota$1,174 (-0.7%)

Missouri$945 (-0.5%)

Illinois$2,095 (0%)

Indiana$912 (-0.3%)

Mississippi$900 (+0.1%)

Montana$1,378 (+2.1%)

Alaska$1,313 (+1%)

Alabama$875 (+0.3%)

Virginia$1,441 (-0.6%)

Arkansas$795 (-3.6%)

North Carolina$1,130 (-1.5%)

North Dakota$945 (+2.2%)

Nebraska$950 (+2.7%)

Rhode Island$1,695 (+3.1%)

Arizona$1,093 (-0.2%)

New Hampshire$1,689 (+3.6%)

New Jersey$2,129 (+1.4%)

Vermont$1,533 (-4.2%)

New Mexico$950 (+4.2%)

Florida$1,395 (0%)

Nevada$1,185 (+0.9%)

Washington$1,650 (+2.3%)

New York$3,594 (+2.7%)

South Carolina$1,155 (+0.9%)

South Dakota$918 (+2.8%)

Wisconsin$1,300 (0%)

Ohio$945 (-0.5%)

Georgia$1,235 (-1.7%)

Oklahoma$835 (-1.4%)

California$1,995 (0%)

West Virginia$777 (+3.6%)

Wyoming$897 (+0.2%)

Oregon$1,325 (0%)

Kansas$775 (0%)

Colorado$1,300 (+0.4%)

Kentucky$886 (+0.7%)

Connecticut$1,748 (+1.4%)

Pennsylvania$1,295 (0%)

Louisiana$981 (-1.4%)

Tennessee$1,046 (+0.1%)

Washington DC$2,200 (-2.3%)

Report Methodology

For the National Rent Report, ApartmentAdvisor analyzes rental listings available on our platform, sourced from multiple listing syndication partners. The set of 100 large cities highlighted in our report is primarily determined by overall population size, however we include some smaller cities with relatively high populations for the home state (e.g. Burlington, VT and Portland, ME) and we exclude some highly populated cities due to their proximity to other major cities (eg. Garland, Texas is not included due to its proximity to Dallas). We take all the unique apartments that were available for any amount of time during a time period, deduplicate them by unit type, and remove unreliable listings. We use a minimum threshold of units for cities to ensure that data is accurate. Luxury bias is removed by focusing on median figures instead of averages.

Top cities

Atlanta Apartments

1,398 apartments starting at $600/month

Austin Apartments

2,531 apartments starting at $500/month

Baltimore Apartments

1,019 apartments starting at $600/month

Boston Apartments

5,715 apartments starting at $450/month

Charlotte Apartments

1,531 apartments starting at $499/month

Chicago Apartments

7,737 apartments starting at $638/month

Dallas Apartments

2,588 apartments starting at $695/month

Fort Worth Apartments

1,632 apartments starting at $559/month

Houston Apartments

2,979 apartments starting at $485/month

Las Vegas Apartments

737 apartments starting at $695/month

Los Angeles Apartments

7,107 apartments starting at $495/month

Miami Apartments

347 apartments starting at $800/month

Milwaukee Apartments

1,167 apartments starting at $595/month

New York Apartments

3,255 apartments starting at $550/month

Oakland Apartments

397 apartments starting at $850/month

Orlando Apartments

444 apartments starting at $750/month

Philadelphia Apartments

2,796 apartments starting at $475/month

Phoenix Apartments

2,343 apartments starting at $631/month

Pittsburgh Apartments

1,130 apartments starting at $600/month

Portland Apartments

1,918 apartments starting at $594/month

Raleigh Apartments

631 apartments starting at $650/month

San Antonio Apartments

1,907 apartments starting at $495/month

San Diego Apartments

2,183 apartments starting at $875/month

San Francisco Apartments

271 apartments starting at $850/month

San Jose Apartments

280 apartments starting at $1,200/month

Seattle Apartments

2,915 apartments starting at $612/month

Tampa Apartments

566 apartments starting at $500/month

Washington DC Apartments

1,793 apartments starting at $950/month