ApartmentAdvisor National Rent Report

March 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

Median rent prices are climbing with the start of spring — albeit slowly.
St. Louis has one of the fastest growing median rent prices in the nation.
At the state level, Kentucky is seeing sizable price increases.

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 $1,495 in March 2026, 0.07% higher than the median national rent for February.

	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	3 Bed
Median Rent	$1,513	$1,495	$1,600	$1,975
1 Month Change	-0.9%	+0.1%	0%	+1.3%
3 Month Change	+1.2%	+3.1%	0%	+1.3%
1 Year Change	-5.4%	-4.1%	-3%	-0.8%

Median Rents

Studio$1,513 (-0.9%)

1 Bedroom$1,495 (+0.1%)

2 Bedrooms$1,600 (0%)

3 Bedrooms$1,975 (+1.3%)

Rent Prices Over Time in the U.S.

Key Findings

National Overview: Nationally, rent is beginning its slow spring climb.

The national median rent price ($1,495) stayed nearly flat from February to March, only climbing about 0.07%. This is in line with trends we’ve observed over the last three years, barring any outliers. We can expect rental prices to continue to climb throughout the rest of the spring and summer as demand for rental units increases.

Regional Spotlight: St. Louis’s rapid rent growth is rivaling coastal cities.

In March, St. Louis, MO had the No. 7 highest median rent increase for a one-bedroom (+4.5 MoM, +10.6 YoY) apartment of any rental market that we track — putting it above highly competitive coastal markets like Boston, MA (+3.6% MoM, +1.8+ YoY) and New York, NY (+2.7 MoM, +5.8% YoY). According to our data, it now costs around $940 a month to rent a one-bedroom apartment in St. Louis — nearly $100 more per month than this time last year.

This is largely due to the perceived affordability of the housing market. Buyers who are priced out of other markets are attracted to the opportunity to buy property in cities like St. Louis, where the barrier to homeownership may be lower. However, slow but steady demand in the area over time has led to more competition — both for single-family homes and rental properties. In recent years, the St. Louis market has seen record-low vacancy rates — leading to continuously rising median asking rent prices.

Average Rent by City

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities to Rent an Apartment

1. New York, NY$3,698 (+2.7%)

2. San Francisco, CA$3,695 (+5.6%)

3. Boston, MA$2,850 (+3.6%)

4. Jersey City, NJ$2,541 (-3.1%)

5. Chicago, IL$2,369 (+3.6%)

6. Miami, FL$2,230 (+14.3%)

7. San Jose, CA$2,217 (+1%)

8. Washington, DC$2,190 (-0.2%)

9. San Diego, CA$2,150 (-2.1%)

10. Los Angeles, CA$2,017 (-1.6%)

Rank #	City	Median Rent	1 Month Change	Rank Change
1	New York, NY	$3,698	+2.7%	-
2	San Francisco, CA	$3,695	+5.6%	-
3	Boston, MA	$2,850	+3.6%	-
4	Jersey City, NJ	$2,541	-3.1%	-
5	Chicago, IL	$2,369	+3.6%	-
6	Miami, FL	$2,230	+14.3%	↑5
7	San Jose, CA	$2,217	+1%	-
8	Washington, DC	$2,190	-0.2%	-
9	San Diego, CA	$2,150	-2.1%	↓3
10	Los Angeles, CA	$2,017	-1.6%	↓1

Top 10 Least Expensive Cities to Rent an Apartment

1. Wichita, KS$700 (+0.7%)

2. Toledo, OH$725 (-1.1%)

3. El Paso, TX$761 (+2.2%)

4. Huntsville, AL$770 (+2.7%)

5. Lincoln, NE$795 (0%)

6. Cedar Rapids, IA$795 (+13.6%)

7. Akron, OH$800 (-2.4%)

8. Fayetteville, NC$825 (-4%)

9. Fort Wayne, IN$839 (-1.3%)

10. Corpus Christi, TX$850 (-12.8%)

Rank #	City	Median Rent	1 Month Change	Rank Change
1	Wichita, KS	$700	+0.7%	-
2	Toledo, OH	$725	-1.1%	↑1
3	El Paso, TX	$761	+2.2%	↑1
4	Huntsville, AL	$770	+2.7%	↑1
5	Lincoln, NE	$795	0%	↑1
6	Cedar Rapids, IA	$795	+13.6%	↓4
7	Akron, OH	$800	-2.4%	↑1
8	Fayetteville, NC	$825	-4%	↑6
9	Fort Wayne, IN	$839	-1.3%	↑2
10	Corpus Christi, TX	$850	-12.8%	↑21

Rent Prices in 100 Major Cities

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

New York, NY$3,698 (+2.7%)

Los Angeles, CA$2,017 (-1.6%)

Chicago, IL$2,369 (+3.6%)

Houston, TX$1,125 (-10.8%)

Phoenix, AZ$1,149 (-0.1%)

Philadelphia, PA$1,382 (+2.4%)

San Antonio, TX$898 (-0.1%)

San Diego, CA$2,150 (-2.1%)

Dallas, TX$1,295 (+1.6%)

San Jose, CA$2,217 (+1%)

Austin, TX$1,300 (-0%)

Jacksonville, FL$1,100 (+0.1%)

Fort Worth, TX$1,349 (-0.3%)

Columbus, OH$1,181 (-1.5%)

Charlotte, NC$1,588 (-0.4%)

San Francisco, CA$3,695 (+5.6%)

Indianapolis, IN$901 (-1.5%)

Seattle, WA$1,800 (0%)

Denver, CO$1,414 (+1.4%)

Washington, DC$2,190 (-0.2%)

Boston, MA$2,850 (+3.6%)

El Paso, TX$761 (+2.2%)

Nashville, TN$1,549 (-0.5%)

Detroit, MI$919 (+2.1%)

Oklahoma City, OK$866 (+2.1%)

Portland, OR$1,395 (0%)

Las Vegas, NV$1,037 (-2.9%)

Memphis, TN$876 (-3.4%)

Louisville, KY$900 (+0.6%)

Baltimore, MD$1,250 (-3.8%)

Milwaukee, WI$1,128 (-5.6%)

Albuquerque, NM$915 (+1.7%)

Tucson, AZ$890 (+2.6%)

Fresno, CA$1,267 (-0.4%)

Sacramento, CA$1,487 (+2.5%)

Atlanta, GA$1,555 (-1.3%)

Kansas City, MO$1,124 (-1.9%)

Colorado Springs, CO$997 (+0.3%)

Omaha, NE$946 (+0.6%)

Raleigh, NC$1,149 (+1.5%)

Miami, FL$2,230 (+14.3%)

Virginia Beach, VA$1,431 (-8.9%)

Oakland, CA$1,895 (0%)

Minneapolis, MN$1,147 (+3%)

Tulsa, OK$863 (-1.4%)

Tampa, FL$1,462 (+1.9%)

New Orleans, LA$1,275 (+0.3%)

Wichita, KS$700 (+0.7%)

Cleveland, OH$950 (0%)

Honolulu, HI$2,000 (+1.3%)

Riverside, CA$1,750 (0%)

Corpus Christi, TX$850 (-12.8%)

Lexington, KY$900 (-2.7%)

St. Paul, MN$1,040 (-2.9%)

Cincinnati, OH$951 (-0.1%)

St. Louis, MO$940 (+4.5%)

Pittsburgh, PA$1,275 (-1.5%)

Greensboro, NC$948 (-0.1%)

Lincoln, NE$795 (0%)

Anchorage, AK$1,300 (-2.6%)

Orlando, FL$1,344 (+2.3%)

Newark, NJ$1,500 (-16.7%)

Toledo, OH$725 (-1.1%)

Fort Wayne, IN$839 (-1.3%)

St. Petersburg, FL$1,500 (+0%)

Jersey City, NJ$2,541 (-3.1%)

Madison, WI$1,553 (+3.6%)

Reno, NV$1,313 (+1.4%)

Buffalo, NY$1,125 (0%)

Richmond, VA$1,295 (+0.6%)

Boise, ID$1,245 (-4.1%)

Spokane, WA$1,050 (0%)

Baton Rouge, LA$851 (+6.4%)

Des Moines, IA$850 (0%)

Fayetteville, NC$825 (-4%)

Birmingham, AL$905 (+0.9%)

Rochester, NY$1,258 (+0.6%)

Grand Rapids, MI$1,275 (+10.2%)

Huntsville, AL$770 (+2.7%)

Salt Lake City, UT$1,159 (+0.9%)

Augusta, GA$850 (0%)

Akron, OH$800 (-2.4%)

Little Rock, AR$872 (+5.7%)

Tallahassee, FL$1,029 (+3.4%)

Sioux Falls, SD$853 (-1.4%)

Providence, RI$1,750 (+1.4%)

Jackson, MS-

Savannah, GA$1,563 (-2.2%)

Charleston, SC$1,850 (-3.5%)

Cedar Rapids, IA$795 (+13.6%)

Fargo, ND$969 (-9.6%)

Hartford, CT$1,350 (-3.6%)

Ann Arbor, MI$1,550 (-10.4%)

Manchester, NH$1,595 (-0.2%)

Billings, MT-

Wilmington, DE-

Portland, ME-

Cheyenne, WY-

Charleston, WV-

Burlington, VT$1,900 (-2%)

City	Population	Median Rent	1 Month Change	1 Year Change
New York, NY	8,336,820	$3,698	+2.7%	+5.8%
Los Angeles, CA	3,979,580	$2,017	-1.6%	-3.7%
Chicago, IL	2,693,980	$2,369	+3.6%	+15.9%
Houston, TX	2,320,270	$1,125	-10.8%	-10.7%
Phoenix, AZ	1,680,990	$1,149	-0.1%	-6.2%
Philadelphia, PA	1,584,060	$1,382	+2.4%	+2.4%
San Antonio, TX	1,547,250	$898	-0.1%	-2.9%
San Diego, CA	1,423,850	$2,150	-2.1%	-1%
Dallas, TX	1,343,570	$1,295	+1.6%	-7.5%
San Jose, CA	1,021,800	$2,217	+1%	+5.2%
Austin, TX	978,908	$1,300	-0%	-4.3%
Jacksonville, FL	911,507	$1,100	+0.1%	+4.8%
Fort Worth, TX	909,585	$1,349	-0.3%	-2%
Columbus, OH	898,553	$1,181	-1.5%	-4.7%
Charlotte, NC	885,708	$1,588	-0.4%	-0.3%
San Francisco, CA	881,549	$3,695	+5.6%	+23.4%
Indianapolis, IN	876,384	$901	-1.5%	+3.7%
Seattle, WA	753,675	$1,800	0%	+0.3%
Denver, CO	727,211	$1,414	+1.4%	-8.2%
Washington, DC	705,749	$2,190	-0.2%	-2.7%
Boston, MA	692,600	$2,850	+3.6%	+1.8%
El Paso, TX	681,728	$761	+2.2%	+2.2%
Nashville, TN	670,820	$1,549	-0.5%	+8.7%
Detroit, MI	670,031	$919	+2.1%	-3.3%
Oklahoma City, OK	655,057	$866	+2.1%	+0.6%
Portland, OR	654,741	$1,395	0%	-0.4%
Las Vegas, NV	651,319	$1,037	-2.9%	-5.7%
Memphis, TN	651,073	$876	-3.4%	+3.1%
Louisville, KY	617,638	$900	+0.6%	+8.1%
Baltimore, MD	593,490	$1,250	-3.8%	-5.5%
Milwaukee, WI	590,157	$1,128	-5.6%	+11.2%
Albuquerque, NM	560,513	$915	+1.7%	+4.1%
Tucson, AZ	548,073	$890	+2.6%	-1%
Fresno, CA	531,576	$1,267	-0.4%	+0.6%
Sacramento, CA	513,624	$1,487	+2.5%	-0.5%
Atlanta, GA	506,811	$1,555	-1.3%	-2.2%
Kansas City, MO	495,327	$1,124	-1.9%	+1.8%
Colorado Springs, CO	478,221	$997	+0.3%	+0.2%
Omaha, NE	478,192	$946	+0.6%	+4.9%
Raleigh, NC	474,069	$1,149	+1.5%	+0.9%
Miami, FL	467,963	$2,230	+14.3%	+7.4%
Virginia Beach, VA	449,974	$1,431	-8.9%	-3%
Oakland, CA	433,031	$1,895	0%	0%
Minneapolis, MN	429,606	$1,147	+3%	+4.7%
Tulsa, OK	401,190	$863	-1.4%	-4.1%
Tampa, FL	399,700	$1,462	+1.9%	-8.6%
New Orleans, LA	390,144	$1,275	+0.3%	-3.8%
Wichita, KS	389,938	$700	+0.7%	+5.3%
Cleveland, OH	381,009	$950	0%	+13.9%
Honolulu, HI	345,064	$2,000	+1.3%	+5.3%
Riverside, CA	331,360	$1,750	0%	-2.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	326,586	$850	-12.8%	-14.9%
Lexington, KY	323,152	$900	-2.7%	+5.9%
St. Paul, MN	308,096	$1,040	-2.9%	-2.8%
Cincinnati, OH	303,940	$951	-0.1%	-2.8%
St. Louis, MO	300,576	$940	+4.5%	+10.6%
Pittsburgh, PA	300,286	$1,275	-1.5%	+4.1%
Greensboro, NC	296,710	$948	-0.1%	+5.9%
Lincoln, NE	289,102	$795	0%	+2.6%
Anchorage, AK	288,000	$1,300	-2.6%	-1.7%
Orlando, FL	287,442	$1,344	+2.3%	-0.1%
Newark, NJ	282,011	$1,500	-16.7%	-11.8%
Toledo, OH	272,779	$725	-1.1%	+5.1%
Fort Wayne, IN	270,402	$839	-1.3%	+5.5%
St. Petersburg, FL	265,351	$1,500	+0%	-0.7%
Jersey City, NJ	262,075	$2,541	-3.1%	-3.1%
Madison, WI	259,680	$1,553	+3.6%	-0.1%
Reno, NV	255,601	$1,313	+1.4%	+9.8%
Buffalo, NY	255,284	$1,125	0%	-2%
Richmond, VA	230,436	$1,295	+0.6%	+3.2%
Boise, ID	228,959	$1,245	-4.1%	-4.6%
Spokane, WA	222,081	$1,050	0%	+0.5%
Baton Rouge, LA	220,236	$851	+6.4%	+0.9%
Des Moines, IA	214,237	$850	0%	0%
Fayetteville, NC	211,657	$825	-4%	-2.7%
Birmingham, AL	209,403	$905	+0.9%	+0.9%
Rochester, NY	205,695	$1,258	+0.6%	+8.5%
Grand Rapids, MI	201,013	$1,275	+10.2%	+3%
Huntsville, AL	200,574	$770	+2.7%	-3.1%
Salt Lake City, UT	200,567	$1,159	+0.9%	-3%
Augusta, GA	197,888	$850	0%	-3.4%
Akron, OH	197,597	$800	-2.4%	0%
Little Rock, AR	197,312	$872	+5.7%	-8.2%
Tallahassee, FL	194,500	$1,029	+3.4%	+8.4%
Sioux Falls, SD	183,793	$853	-1.4%	+0.1%
Providence, RI	179,883	$1,750	+1.4%	+3.6%
Jackson, MS	160,628	-	-	-
Savannah, GA	144,464	$1,563	-2.2%	-2.3%
Charleston, SC	137,566	$1,850	-3.5%	-10.8%
Cedar Rapids, IA	133,562	$795	+13.6%	+22.9%
Fargo, ND	124,662	$969	-9.6%	+2%
Hartford, CT	122,105	$1,350	-3.6%	+8%
Ann Arbor, MI	119,980	$1,550	-10.4%	+3.6%
Manchester, NH	112,673	$1,595	-0.2%	+1.6%
Billings, MT	109,577	-	-	-
Wilmington, DE	70,166	-	-	-
Portland, ME	66,215	-	-	-
Cheyenne, WY	64,235	-	-	-
Charleston, WV	46,536	-	-	-
Burlington, VT	42,819	$1,900	-2%	+15.2%

To download this data as a CSV, click .

Average Rent by State

Kentucky is seeing big increases in its median rent price at the state level.

In March, the median rent price of a one-bedroom rental unit in Kentucky increased by 2.3% MoM and 5.9% YoY. While this growth can partially be attributed to pressure on the housing markets in Kentucky’s largest metropolitan areas (rent in Louisville, KY is up 0.6% MoM and 8.1% YoY, for example), this doesn’t tell the full story.

According to the Kentucky Housing Corporation, there was a housing shortage in every county in the state in 2024. Renters of all income levels are competing for housing even in rural areas, leading to price growth across Kentucky. In total, the state is short just over 100,000 rental units as well as 100,000 for-sale units based on demand.

Adding to the pressure is higher home prices and mortgage rates, which price out would-be first-time homebuyers and force them into the competition for rentals as well. This is happening more and more in ostensibly “affordable” real estate markets and is a trend to watch.

State	Median Rent	1 Month Change	1 Year Change
Delaware	-	-	-
Hawaii	$2,050	-0%	+7.9%
Puerto Rico	-	-	-
Texas	$1,049	-2.4%	-4.6%
Massachusetts	$2,500	+2%	-1.3%
Maryland	$1,464	+1%	+3.5%
Iowa	$866	+1.8%	+2.4%
Maine	$1,373	-1.6%	-3.7%
Idaho	$1,195	0%	-1.3%
Michigan	$999	-1%	-1.6%
Utah	$1,099	+0.4%	-0%
Minnesota	$1,186	-1.1%	+5.9%
Missouri	$925	+1.2%	+8.8%
Illinois	$2,018	+3.5%	+12.4%
Indiana	$900	-2.7%	+0.1%
Mississippi	$886	-2%	-10.3%
Montana	$1,300	0%	+8.8%
Alaska	$1,295	-1.4%	+1.6%
Alabama	$881	-0.9%	+1.8%
Virginia	$1,426	+0.5%	+5.7%
Arkansas	$778	+2.8%	-1.6%
North Carolina	$1,140	+1.9%	+3.6%
North Dakota	$925	-3.7%	+7.8%
Nebraska	$923	+0.5%	+5.8%
Rhode Island	$1,581	-0.1%	+2%
Arizona	$1,086	-1.2%	-5.5%
New Hampshire	$1,650	+0.2%	-1.5%
New Jersey	$2,063	+1.4%	-1.8%
Vermont	$1,600	-3%	-8.6%
New Mexico	$923	-0.2%	+2.6%
Florida	$1,395	+1.4%	-2.1%
Nevada	$1,156	+0.5%	+0.4%
Washington	$1,614	+0.7%	+1.2%
New York	$3,400	+0.6%	+3%
South Carolina	$1,150	0%	0%
South Dakota	$875	-2.2%	-2.2%
Wisconsin	$1,295	+1.2%	+6.5%
Ohio	$910	-0.2%	+1.1%
Georgia	$1,250	0%	-1%
Oklahoma	$834	+1.1%	-1.3%
California	$1,990	-0.2%	-0.2%
West Virginia	$743	-1%	-1%
Wyoming	$895	0%	+5.3%
Oregon	$1,328	-1.7%	-1.7%
Kansas	$750	+0.9%	+0.2%
Colorado	$1,273	+1%	-7.4%
Kentucky	$895	+2.3%	+5.9%
Connecticut	$1,725	+0.6%	+1.5%
Pennsylvania	$1,265	+1.2%	+4.1%
Louisiana	$965	-0.6%	+1.5%
Tennessee	$1,000	-3.2%	-0.6%
Washington DC	$2,190	-0.2%	-2.7%

Delaware-

Hawaii$2,050 (-0%)

Puerto Rico-

Texas$1,049 (-2.4%)

Massachusetts$2,500 (+2%)

Maryland$1,464 (+1%)

Iowa$866 (+1.8%)

Maine$1,373 (-1.6%)

Idaho$1,195 (0%)

Michigan$999 (-1%)

Utah$1,099 (+0.4%)

Minnesota$1,186 (-1.1%)

Missouri$925 (+1.2%)

Illinois$2,018 (+3.5%)

Indiana$900 (-2.7%)

Mississippi$886 (-2%)

Montana$1,300 (0%)

Alaska$1,295 (-1.4%)

Alabama$881 (-0.9%)

Virginia$1,426 (+0.5%)

Arkansas$778 (+2.8%)

North Carolina$1,140 (+1.9%)

North Dakota$925 (-3.7%)

Nebraska$923 (+0.5%)

Rhode Island$1,581 (-0.1%)

Arizona$1,086 (-1.2%)

New Hampshire$1,650 (+0.2%)

New Jersey$2,063 (+1.4%)

Vermont$1,600 (-3%)

New Mexico$923 (-0.2%)

Florida$1,395 (+1.4%)

Nevada$1,156 (+0.5%)

Washington$1,614 (+0.7%)

New York$3,400 (+0.6%)

South Carolina$1,150 (0%)

South Dakota$875 (-2.2%)

Wisconsin$1,295 (+1.2%)

Ohio$910 (-0.2%)

Georgia$1,250 (0%)

Oklahoma$834 (+1.1%)

California$1,990 (-0.2%)

West Virginia$743 (-1%)

Wyoming$895 (0%)

Oregon$1,328 (-1.7%)

Kansas$750 (+0.9%)

Colorado$1,273 (+1%)

Kentucky$895 (+2.3%)

Connecticut$1,725 (+0.6%)

Pennsylvania$1,265 (+1.2%)

Louisiana$965 (-0.6%)

Tennessee$1,000 (-3.2%)

Washington DC$2,190 (-0.2%)

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

1,407 apartments starting at $600/month

Austin Apartments

2,451 apartments starting at $580/month

Baltimore Apartments

1,175 apartments starting at $500/month

Boston Apartments

5,612 apartments starting at $450/month

Charlotte Apartments

1,577 apartments starting at $499/month

Chicago Apartments

7,169 apartments starting at $638/month

Dallas Apartments

2,943 apartments starting at $699/month

Fort Worth Apartments

1,639 apartments starting at $538/month

Houston Apartments

2,964 apartments starting at $500/month

Las Vegas Apartments

710 apartments starting at $695/month

Los Angeles Apartments

5,829 apartments starting at $650/month

Miami Apartments

367 apartments starting at $800/month

Milwaukee Apartments

1,195 apartments starting at $565/month

New York Apartments

2,639 apartments starting at $550/month

Oakland Apartments

473 apartments starting at $850/month

Orlando Apartments

446 apartments starting at $490/month

Philadelphia Apartments

2,685 apartments starting at $500/month

Phoenix Apartments

2,272 apartments starting at $595/month

Pittsburgh Apartments

1,189 apartments starting at $750/month

Portland Apartments

2,019 apartments starting at $500/month

Raleigh Apartments

612 apartments starting at $550/month

San Antonio Apartments

2,017 apartments starting at $468/month

San Diego Apartments

2,168 apartments starting at $850/month

San Francisco Apartments

287 apartments starting at $950/month

San Jose Apartments

283 apartments starting at $1,175/month

Seattle Apartments

2,674 apartments starting at $635/month

Tampa Apartments

610 apartments starting at $845/month

Washington DC Apartments

1,891 apartments starting at $950/month