Average Rent Increase in the U.S. in 2022 | Credit Karma (2024)

A Credit Karma Study

Updated

Written by:Jennifer Brozic and Andrew Depietro

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Rental costs have increased significantly throughout much of the United States since 2017, with many cities and states seeing the biggest uptick from 2021 to 2022.

Credit Karma studied data from the online rental marketplace and research hub Apartment List to identify changes in rent at the national, state and city levels from 2017 to 2022. Then we ranked the cities and states based on two factors:

  1. The change in rent from 2021 to 2022
  2. The average year-over-year rent increase from 2017 to 2022

You can check out our full methodology here.

Based on our review, the five states with the highest average increase from 2021 to 2022 are:

  • Florida
  • Tennessee
  • South Dakota
  • New York
  • North Carolina

On the flip side, the five states with the lowest average increase in rent from 2021 to 2022 are:

  • Minnesota
  • Idaho
  • North Dakota
  • Hawaii
  • Iowa

Looking at individual cities, Naples, Florida topped the list with the biggest increase. Meanwhile Lake Charles, Louisiana landed at the bottom of the list, with a decrease in rent from 2021 to 2022.

Keep reading to learn more about where rents are rising the most (and least), plus how the type of accommodations you choose can affect how much you pay.

Key findings on rent increase

Average rent increase over the years

Top 5 states with the highest rent increase

Top 5 states with the lowest rent increase

Top 5 cities with the highest rent increase

Top 5 cities with the lowest rent increase

Rent increase by apartment type: 1 bedroom vs. 2 bedroom

Conclusion

Tips for finding a good deal on rent

Methodology

Credit Karma Stat Snapshot

Average nationwide year-over-year rent increase from 2017 to 2022: 5.77% State with the highest rent increase from 2021 to 2022: FloridaState with the lowest rent increase from 2021 to 2022: MinnesotaCity with the highest rent increase from 2021 to 2022: Naples, FloridaCity with the lowest rent increase from 2021 to 2022: Lake Charles, LouisianaAverage rent increase from 2021 to 2022 for one- and two- bedroom apartments: 24.2%

Key findings on rent increase

Check out the table below to see our ranking of rent increases by state from 2021 to 2022 (the state with highest increase is ranked No. 1). Note: Data weren’t available for Montana, Vermont or West Virginia, so we left them off the list.

RankState2021–2022 Rent change
1Florida22.59%
2Tennessee18.61%
3South Dakota18.41%
4New York18.23%
5North Carolina18.00%
6Rhode Island17.69%
7New Jersey17.32%
8South Carolina16.87%
9Alaska16.41%
10Utah16.32%
11Arizona15.83%
12Delaware15.73%
13New Mexico15.25%
14Wyoming15.07%
15Georgia14.98%
16New Hampshire14.30%
17Massachusetts14.15%
18Texas14.04%
19Washington13.83%
20Indiana13.78%
21Oklahoma13.73%
22Nevada13.69%
23Kentucky13.58%
24California13.52%
25Maine13.23%
26Ohio12.66%
27Arkansas12.51%
28Colorado12.39%
29Kansas12.38%
30Virginia11.95%
31Alabama11.81%
32Connecticut11.72%
33Oregon11.09%
34Michigan11.09%
35Pennsylvania10.74%
36Nebraska10.69%
37Illinois10.62%
38Mississippi10.33%
39Wisconsin10.26%
40Maryland9.36%
41District of Columbia8.99%
42Louisiana8.82%
43Missouri8.45%
44Iowa7.53%
45Hawaii6.90%
46North Dakota6.34%
47Idaho6.22%
48Minnesota5.93%

Florida saw the biggest increase in rent from 2021 to 2022 likely due to a combination of factors. Rental inventory in the state reached its lowest level in at least 16 years in the fourth quarter of 2021. Plus, there was an influx of new residents throughout 2021 and the first half of 2022, driving up demand for housing in the state.

At the bottom of the list was Minnesota, with an increase of just 5.93%, despite having relatively low vacancy rates.

It’s also worth noting that the increase in rent from 2021 to 2022 was identical for one- and two-bedroom apartments at 24.2%. The average monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment increased from $941 to $1,169 from January 2021 to June 2022, while the cost of a two-bedroom apartment increased from $1,093 to $1,339.

Average rent increase over the years

From 2017 to 2022, the average year-over-year increase in rent was 5.77% nationwide, with the biggest increase occurring from 2021 to 2022 at 14.07%. Although rents have risen in nearly every part of the country, some states were hit harder than others.

Highest average annual rent change (%), 2017–2022Lowest average annual rent change (%) 2017–2022
IdahoDistrict of Columbia
MaineNorth Dakota
ArizonaLouisiana
NevadaIowa
New MexicoMinnesota

Nineteen states had increases above the average, with Idaho and Maine experiencing average annual double-digit increases of more than 10% since 2017. The District of Columbia on the other hand had an average annual increase of only 0.69% — and North Dakota and Louisiana had increases of 1.17% and 1.79%, respectively.

But while the District of Columbia had the lowest average annual rent increase, it remains one of the priciest places to live in the country. The average rent is $1,830 — the third highest in the nation behind Hawaii and California.

And while Idaho had the biggest jump from 2017 to 2022, Idaho rents are in the middle of the pack compared to other states, coming in at $1,280.

Top 5 states with the highest rent increase

Credit Karma used rental data from Apartment List to identify the states and cities with the highest and lowest rent increases from 2021 to 2022.

State2021–2022 Rent change (%)
Florida22.59%
Tennessee18.61%
South Dakota18.41%
New York18.23%
North Carolina18.00%

Three of the states with the largest increases in rent are in the South, with one in the Northeast and one in the Midwest. Although geographically diverse in location, all of these states experienced declines in rental inventory throughout 2021 and early 2022, with vacancies remaining low today.

Top 5 states with the lowest rent increase

State2021–2022 Rent change (%)
Minnesota5.93%
Idaho6.22%
North Dakota6.34%
Hawaii6.90%
Iowa7.53%

All the states on this list except Hawaii are in the Midwest or West. North Dakota has one of the highest vacancy rates in the United States, which may explain why it experienced one of the lowest rent increases in the country. Surprisingly, the remaining states on this list have relatively low levels of rentals available.

Top 5 cities with the highest rent increase

Cities2021­–2022 Rent change (%)
Naples, Florida33.89%
West New York, New Jersey32.20%
Ocoee, Florida32.05%
Coral Gables, Florida31.63%
Knoxville, Tennessee29.93%

With Florida and Tennessee topping the list of states with the biggest rent increase from 2021 to 2022, it’s unsurprising that four of the five cities with the largest change in rent are in these two states.

The fifth — West New York — is in New Jersey, a state with a high cost of living, where the average rent is $1,788 — the fourth highest in the country. While New Jersey didn’t make our top five list of states for the highest rent increases, it did come in at number seven.

Top 5 cities with the lowest rent increase

Cities2021–2022 Rent change (%)
Lake Charles, Louisiana-16.10%
Lexington Park, Maryland-0.64%
Sparks, Nevada0.43%
Rocklin, California0.69%
Spokane, Washington0.77%

The cities with the lowest increases aren’t located in states that experienced the smallest rent increases, although Louisiana and Maryland are in the bottom 10.

Three of the cities on the list are in the West, while one is in the Mid-Atlantic region and the other is in the South.

Rent increase by apartment type: 1 bedroom vs. 2 bedroom

Unsurprisingly, a two-bedroom apartment will cost you more than a one-bedroom apartment nationwide. But interestingly, the increase in rent for one- and two-bedroom apartments was identical at 24.2%.

The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment rose from $941 in January 2021 to $1,169 in June of 2022, and the average rent of a two-bedroom apartment rose from $1,078 to $1,339.

Conclusion

Rental rates aren’t the only expense that’s increased in the last year. Prices for consumer goods and services rose across the board as inflation reached its highest level in 40 years in June 2022.

There’s no way to know for sure when or if rents will decrease. And since rates can vary significantly based on location, different areas may experience different pricing trends. But there are two key factors that are likely to affect how much renters will continue to pay.

  1. Supply and demand. In general, rents tend to be higher in areas where demand is high and lower in places where demand is low.
  2. Mortgage rates. Rising mortgage rates may price would-be homebuyers out of the market, creating even more demand for rentals. If that happens, rental rates may continue to increase.

Tips and resources for finding a good deal on rent

As the cost of rent spikes throughout much of the country, it may seem impossible to find a good deal on a rental. But there are a few ways to save. Here are some tips to help you slash the amount you pay.

  • Get a roommate (or two). Splitting the cost of your rental will allow you to keep more of your hard-earned money.
  • Improve your credit. Lenders aren’t the only businesses that check your credit. Landlords do, too, and having poor credit may limit your rental options.
  • Sign a long-term lease. Typically, when your lease is up, your landlord has the right to raise your rent. Locking in a lengthier lease could help prevent frequent price increases.
  • Stick to the essentials. An on-site gym, pool and clubhouse may be nice, but they can drive rents up.

Rent vs. buy calculator

Find out if it makes more financial sense for you to buy a home or rent one with our rent vs. buy calculator.

Methodology

To identify average rent increases nationwide and in states and cities, we reviewed Apartment List rental data from 2017 to 2022. Then we ranked cities and states by both rent growth from 2021 to 2022 and average year-over-year growth from 2017 to 2022.

Sources

About the author: Jennifer Brozic is a freelance financial services writer with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in communication management from Towson University. She’s committed… Read more.

Average Rent Increase in the U.S. in 2022 | Credit Karma (2024)

FAQs

Average Rent Increase in the U.S. in 2022 | Credit Karma? ›

From 2017 to 2022, the average year-over-year increase in rent was 5.77% nationwide, with the biggest increase occurring from 2021 to 2022 at 14.07%. Although rents have risen in nearly every part of the country, some states were hit harder than others.

How much has rent increased in america 2022? ›

At the end of 2022, the median U.S. rent was $2,305, which was nearly 5% higher than a year earlier. But when compared to the end of the first half of 2022, that median rent had declined almost 6%, the report shows. As rent prices ease and mortgage rates rise, it's become cheaper to rent than buy in many markets.

What is the average US rental increase? ›

Typical asking rents in the U.S. are now $2,018, a 5.3% increase compared with the same time last year. Rent growth, overall, has been slowing since its 16.9% year-over-year peak growth in February 2022. The current year-over-year rate is 0.5% higher than the peak typical rent of $2,008 in September 2022.

How much can a landlord raise rent in California 2023? ›

For rent-controlled units, the annual allowable increase amount effective March 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024 is 3.6%. This amount is based on 60% of the increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers in the Bay Area, which was 6% as posted in November 2022 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Where has rent increased the most? ›

Half of America's most expensive cities for apartments are in California: study
RankMetropolitan Statistical AreaChange Since February 2022
1New York, NY+ 12.8%
2San Francisco, CA+ 4.2%
3Boston, MA+ 2.0%
4San Jose, CA+ 7.4%
6 more rows
Mar 14, 2023

What is average rent in USA? ›

What is the average rent in the U.S.? The average rent for an apartment in the U.S. is $1,702. The cost of rent varies depending on several factors, including location, size, and quality.

Why are rents increasing in USA? ›

Why is rent so high in the US right now? Over the past two years, the U.S. median rent rose by 18%. That was mostly because a competitive housing market and higher mortgage rates shut many people out of home buying. A strong jobs market and shortage of inventory also contributed to rising rent.

What is the average rent in the US 2023? ›

The average monthly rent for all apartment types in the United States rose substantially in 2021. As of February 2023, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the United States reached 1,320 U.S. dollars, up from 1,282 U.S. dollars a year before.

What city has the highest rent increase in the US? ›

Here are the 10 metros where asking rents are rising fastest.
  • Oklahoma City: +24.1 percent.
  • Pittsburgh: +20 percent.
  • Indianapolis: +17.9 percent.
  • Louisville: +17.5 percent.
  • Nashville: +17 percent.
  • Cincinatti: +16.5 percent.
  • Raleigh: +16.4 percent.
  • New York: +15.4 percent.

Can you negotiate rent? ›

The short answer is, yes. You can negotiate your rent. When you're renting an apartment, the price you pay isn't set in stone. But before you even consider negotiating, you need to make sure you know why you're asking for a discount.

Does California have a rent cap? ›

The starting rent is determined from March 2019 under the law, which is retroactive. There is no upper rent cap or limit on how much a landlord can raise the rent from one occupant to the next.

Will rent prices go down in 2023 in California? ›

Moody Analytics expects rent price growth of 2.5% to 3% for 2023. Barring a recession or unforeseen events, rent prices are expected to grow annually by a range of 3% to 4% in 2024 and 2025, says LaSalvia. That's roughly the same rate that prices grew in the years leading up to the pandemic.

Why is rent so high in California? ›

High Demand And Low Supply In Housing Increases Property Value. High property values are driven by limited supply and strong demand from people who want to live here, especially millennials with families and seniors retiring to warmer climates.

What state has the highest rent burden? ›

According to the report, the following three states topped the 30% rent-to-income ratios for the fourth quarter of 2022:
  • Florida.
  • Massachusetts.
  • New York.
Feb 1, 2023

Which state has highest rent? ›

Hawaii has the highest average rent in the United States at $2,399 a month. The asking rent for a typical unit in Hawaii is even higher, with vacant units asking $2,850 for new renters. Average rents in Honolulu cost an average of $2,528.

What city in California has the highest rent? ›

San Francisco: Known for its high cost of living, San Francisco is the most expensive rental city in California. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment was around $3,340 per month.

Is $1,500 rent too much? ›

Take rent for example. The traditional advice is simple: Spend no more than 30% of your before-tax income on housing costs. That means if you bring in $5,000 per month before taxes, your rent shouldn't exceed $1,500.

What is the most expensive city to rent in the US? ›

The most expensive rental market in the US remains to be New York. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom is roughly $3,260. This is about a $500 decrease from 2021, however as demand continues to increase prices are likely to follow.

Where is the cheapest rent in United States? ›

The best cities for affordable rent, summed up
RankCityCost of living (U.S. average=100)
1Little Rock, AR87.70
2Tulsa, OK88.60
3Omaha, NE91.70
4Des Moines, IA92.30
21 more rows
Dec 30, 2022

How much is the cost of living in USA? ›

Again, living expenses vary significantly by location, but we can use some average numbers. The average monthly living expenses for a single person in the USA are $3,189, which is $38,266 per year. The average cost for a family of four is $7,095 per month, which is $85,139 per year.

What percent of the US is renters by year? ›

The number of U.S. households renting homes has been gradually increasing for the past 10 years, reaching 43.95 million in 2021, a 2.3% increase over a year prior. In the ten years, the annual number of homes rented in the U.S. grew by 10.3%.

Why is rent so high in Texas? ›

Renters are seeing their housing costs jump as population increases, strict zoning regulations and rising home sales push up rent prices.

What is the largest legal rent increase? ›

In 2023, the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant's rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board is 2.5% (rent control).

Which major US city has the cheapest rent? ›

1. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Of all U.S. metro areas with populations of more than 1 million, none has cheaper apartment rents than Tulsa.

Where is rent growing the fastest? ›

Cities With The fastest Growing 3-Bedroom Home Rent Prices in 2023
  • Santa Barbara, California. ...
  • Rochester, New York. ...
  • Anderson, Indiana. ...
  • Rochester, Minnesota. January 2023: $2,050. ...
  • Kalamazoo, Michigan. January 2023: $1,673. ...
  • Monroe, Louisiana. January 2023: $1,400. ...
  • Greenville, North Carolina. January: $1,500. ...
  • Lawton, Oklahoma.
Feb 17, 2023

What time of year is rent the cheapest? ›

The lowest rental rates are usually found between October and April, particularly right after the December holiday season. Fewer people are interested in moving—the weather's bad, schools are in session, etc. So individuals renting between the months of December and March typically find the best rental bargains.

Should you always try to negotiate rent? ›

But in our opinion, it's 100% worth it to negotiate rent and get the best price possible for your new home. Since rent prices make up a large portion of our expenses, shaving off even a small percentage of your rent can save you thousands of dollars a year.

Should you always negotiate rent? ›

Absolutely! If you are concerned about the value you're receiving for the amount you're paying, carrying out an apartment lease negotiation can be a great way to ease your mind by finding out what options are available to you and working out a win-win situation.

Can California raise rent by 10%? ›

Landlords must also give tenants sufficient warning before increasing rent. If the rent increase is less than 10%, landlords must provide notice 30 days before the increase can take effect. If the rent increase is more than 10%, the landlord must provide notice 90 days before it can take effect.

What a landlord Cannot do in California? ›

Under the Fair Housing Act, it's illegal for landlords to discriminate against a prospective tenant based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, familial status, or disability.

What 15 cities are rent controlled in California? ›

With rent-control ordinances

These are: Alameda, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, East Palo Alto, Hayward, Los Angeles, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Oakland, Palm Springs, Richmond. San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood.

Will rent keep going up in California? ›

AB 1482, or the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, states that California municipalities may not increase rent by more than 5% plus the percentage increase in CPI during any 12-month period, at a maximum of 10%. Until recently, the CPI increase in many areas of California was 3-4.5%.

What are the new rental laws in California 2023? ›

Rent Control Laws

According to the AB-1482 from the California Tenant Protection Act), any rent increase is capped at 5% plus inflation or 10% of the lowest price paid in the last 12 months. These laws started in January 2020, and it's expected to last until January 2030. You can read more about this measure here.

Will there be a housing crisis in 2023? ›

It's also worth noting that while foreclosure rates are up year-over-year, experts do not expect to see a wave of foreclosures in 2023, even where home values are depreciating, as many homeowners have substantial equity due to progressive home price appreciation in recent years.

In what city is rent the most expensive? ›

Most Expensive Cities Around the World to Rent an Apartment
  • Seattle, Washington, US. ...
  • Washington, D.C., US. ...
  • Miami, Florida, US. ...
  • Los Angeles, California, US. ...
  • San Jose, California, US. ...
  • Oakland, California, US. ...
  • Boston, Massachusetts, US. Cost of Rent Index Score: 75.2. ...
  • George Town, Cayman Islands. Cost of Rent Index Score: 76.4.
Apr 30, 2023

How many Californians are not paying rent? ›

PUBLISHED: June 28, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. | UPDATED: June 30, 2022 at 10:52 a.m. Rent payments are being skipped by 1.3 million Californians, according to new Census Bureau data.

Will California rent go down? ›

While there's no consensus on what rents will do exactly in 2023 — go up a little, go down a little, or stay flat, according to three forecasts — what's clear is they are expected to return to more normal growth patterns, instead of the unsustainable, record rates seen in 2021 and 2022.

What is the maximum rent increase allowed in Massachusetts? ›

Rent Increases: There is no legal limit to the amount of rent a landlord can charge. However, in order for the rent increase to be valid, the landlord must provide the tenant proper notice of the raise in rent and the tenant must agree to it (signs the lease with the new monthly rent).

What is the rent increase for 2022 in NYC? ›

Specifically, the NYC Rent Guideline Board limits how much a landlord may increase your rent each year. In June of 2022, the board set a 3.25% increase for one-year lease agreements and a 5% increase for a two-year lease agreement. This will apply to all leases signed between October 2022 to September 2023.

Where is the cheapest rent in United states? ›

The best cities for affordable rent, summed up
RankCityCost of living (U.S. average=100)
1Little Rock, AR87.70
2Tulsa, OK88.60
3Omaha, NE91.70
4Des Moines, IA92.30
21 more rows
Dec 30, 2022

What is the most expensive city to rent in USA? ›

The most expensive rental market in the US remains to be New York. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom is roughly $3,260. This is about a $500 decrease from 2021, however as demand continues to increase prices are likely to follow.

What state in the US has the cheapest rent? ›

Mississippi

Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. It also has the lowest average housing costs in the nation at 33.7% below the national average. The median single family home costs around $140,818.

Is rent control illegal in MA? ›

No. Massachusetts law currently does not enforce rent control restrictions, and there is no legal limit to the amount that landlords can increase the rent by.

Can my landlord refuse to renew my lease in Massachusetts? ›

Massachusetts courts take tenant rights very seriously. Landlords found to be in non-compliance of the law can be required to renew leases and they can also face fines and be compelled to pay court costs.

What is the highest rent inflation rate in the US? ›

Rent Inflation in the United States averaged 4.17 percent from 1954 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 20.85 percent in June of 1980 and a record low of -0.73 percent in April of 2010. This page includes a chart with historical data for the United States Rent Inflation.

How to negotiate rent? ›

How to negotiate rent
  1. Be polite. ...
  2. Explain your strengths as a renter. ...
  3. Let them know you have options. ...
  4. Pick the right offer. ...
  5. Leverage other properties' amenities. ...
  6. Offer the landlord something of value. ...
  7. Be open to adjusting your lease. ...
  8. Take non-monetary concessions.

How much can rent go up in NJ? ›

No, the state of New Jersey does not provide a limit to rent increases. However the local municipalities do and the rent increase limits can range anywhere between 2 - 6% per year. Many cities in New Jersey follows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to set that range.

What is the average rent increase in Brooklyn 2022? ›

APRIL 2022 VS. APRIL 2023
TYPEAPRIL 2022CHANGE
Studios$2,5869.71%
One bedrooms$3,1776.40%
Two bedrooms$3,97715.83%

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