Friday, November 21, 2025

US Rent Cost 11-21-25

Average US rent in 2025 shows an upward trend, with specific figures varying by source but generally indicating growth over the year. For example, the average asking rent in October was around $1,631 for a one-bedroom and $1,887 for a two-bedroom apartment. By November 15, Zillow reported the overall average at $2,000 with a slight month-over-month decrease. The average rent for 2025 is predicted to be about $1,650, a 7.52% increase from 2024, according to iPropertyManagement.com 

Quarterly breakdown for 2025 

Q1: The average advertised asking rent was around $1,746 in January, marking a 0.8% year-over-year increase, according to Multi-Housing News.

Q2: The national effective rent reached approximately $1,869 by the end of June, a 2.1% year-over-year increase and a 2% quarter-over-quarter rise, reports the National Apartment Association.

Q3: September 2025 data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows the rent index at 438.322

Q4: October: The average rent was approximately $1,631for a one-bedroom and $1,887 for a two-bedroom, notes Apartments.com.

November: Zillow reported the overall average rent as $2,000 with a slight month-over-month decrease. 

Key trends in 2025 

Overall growth: Rents have seen a general upward trend throughout the year, though the rate of increase has slowed in some markets compared to previous years.

Market stabilization: After a period of volatility, the market showed signs of stabilization with some sources noting a 0.6% decline in the national median rent as of December 2024, while others show consistent growth.

Regional differences: Rent prices and growth vary significantly by region. For example, cities like New York, Jersey City, and Boston continue to have high rents, while others such as Dallas and Houston have seen modest growth or even declines due to increased rental supply. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=us+average+rent+prices+Q1+to+Q4+2025

The average apartment rent in the U.S. in late 2025 is approximately $1,949 to $2,000 per month, with some sources citing a slightly higher figure of $3,129. Variations exist by location and apartment size, with major cities like Boston and New York having significantly higher rents than the national average, while Midwestern and Southern cities generally have lower costs. 

National average rent

$1,949 - $2,000: This is a widely cited average for late 2025.

$3,129: One source reports a 2025 average of $3,129, representing a 4.62% year-over-year increase. 

Average rent by apartment size (approximate)

Studio: $1,493

1-Bedroom: $1,501

2-Bedroom: $1,800

3-Bedroom: $2,150 

Factors influencing rent

Location: Rents are highest in major coastal metropolitan areas. For example, the median rent in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was $3,009 in June 2025, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA had a median rent of $2,194 in February 2025.

Geographic region: Rent is generally lower in the Midwest and South compared to coastal cities.

Apartment size: Larger apartments typically have higher rents, as shown in the breakdown by unit size above. 

As of late 2025, the median national asking rent for a 0-2 bedroom apartment is approximately $1,703–$1,713 per month, while the overall average rent is roughly $1,631–$1,949 per month, depending on the source and methodology. 

The U.S. rental market in 2025 has been characterized by a continued cooling trend, with median asking rents generally declining year-over-year in most months due to a high supply of new apartment units. 

Average Rent by Unit Size (August 2025)

According to a Realtor.com report from August 2025, the median asking rents for various unit sizes were: 

Unit Size         Median Rent      Year-over-Year Change

Overall (0-2 bed)     $1713      -2.2%

Studio                      $1430      -1.7%

1-Bedroom               $1593      -2.1%

2-Bedroom               $1897      -2.2%

Key 2025 Rental Market Trends

Declining Asking Rents: As of September 2025, the U.S. median rent for 0-2 bedroom properties recorded its 26th consecutive month of year-over-year decline. This has improved rental affordability slightly compared to the peak in August 2022.

Increased Supply: A significant influx of new multifamily housing units has hit the market, contributing to a higher vacancy rate and suppressing price growth in many areas.

Regional Variation: Rent trends vary widely by location. For example, some major metro areas like Austin, Atlanta, and Las Vegas have seen significant price cuts from their peaks, while some states in the Midwest and South, such as Oklahoma and Arkansas, consistently have the lowest average rents in the nation.

Future Outlook: Industry forecasts from sources like CoStar suggest that as the new supply is absorbed and construction potentially slows down, rents may begin to rise again in late 2025 and into 2026. 

For more detailed data and local trends, reliable sources include the Realtor.com research reports and data from Apartments.com and RentCafe

https://www.google.com/search?q=us+average+apartment+rent+price+2025+us

Comments

The 2% Rent Rate Declines cited above are likely due to “oversupply” in less expensive cities and growing popularity of renting Single Family Homes.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

 

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