Key Takeaways
- The national average rent was $1,641 per month, an increase of 0.4% over the last year.
- West Virginia dethroned Rhode Island for the state with the biggest year-over-year rent increase.
- San Antonio’s vacancy rate is up to 16.1% and the annual rent growth is down to -2.4% as the oversupply wave continues.
In April, the national average rent was $1,641 per month for a one-bedroom and $1,883 per month for a two-bedroom, an increase of 0.3% from April 2025. The national vacancy rate remains at 8.5% before summer.
An Imbalanced Renters’ Market in Charleston, WV
The average rent in West Virginia is 4.3% higher than last year, four percentage points higher than the national average rent increase. Charleston, the state capital, is the focal point of the state rental market’s unusual activity.
Typically, rent prices drop as more units become vacant as landlords compete with other properties for tenants, but Charleston is seeing the opposite effect—rent prices are rising alongside rental vacancies due to a perfect storm of population loss and demand for luxury rentals.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Charleston’s population decreased by about 2,300 between 2020 and 2024, and CoStar Group data estimates another 2,000 decrease between 2024 and 2025. This means that properties are competing for fewer renters. Many of these renters are opting for higher-end units because of the city’s affordability, pushing the vacancy rate for luxury units down to 2% and the vacancy rate for average units up to 13.6%.
The city has seen limited construction over the past 10 years, so the majority of the city’s rental inventory is old. Property managers are renovating their rentals to stay competitive in such an imbalanced renters’ market, then re-listing at a higher price to reflect the upgrades. The Charleston rental market is small—just over 7,000 units—so even a few new or renovated units will pull rent prices upward.
April 2026 Rent Growth
West Virginia had the greatest year-over-year increase at 4.3%, and Colorado and Washington, D.C. tied for the largest decrease at -2.9%.
April 2026 rent increases by city
Rents in Pittsburgh are rising despite more vacant units and fewer lease-ups. More luxury rentals are entering the market to meet renter demand, pushing the citywide average upward and setting a precedent for existing properties.
Here are the cities with the biggest rent increases in April:
- Hollywood, FL: +6.8%
- Brooklyn, NY: +4.2%
- Chicago, IL: +2.4%
- Pittsburgh, PA: +2.4%
- Miami Beach, FL: +2.1%
April 2026 rent decreases by city
San Antonio is one of many Texas cities swept up in an oversupply wave. The city’s vacancy rate is up to 16.1% as construction outpaces lease-ups, swinging the market in renters’ favor. Property managers are lowering prices and offering more generous rent concessions to stay competitive.
Here are the cities with the biggest rent decreases in April:
- Fort Myers, FL: -3.7%
- Denver, CO: -2.9%
- Austin, TX: -2.5%
- San Antonio, TX: -2.4%
- Naples, FL: -2.2%
Current Rent Prices Across the U.S.
|
City |
Current Average Rent |
Last Month’s Average Rent |
Year-Over-Year Difference |
|
$2,380 |
$2,368 |
-0.4% |
|
|
$1,628 |
$1,616 |
-0.3% |
|
|
$1,388 |
$1,381 |
-3.9% |
|
|
$3,516 |
$3,454 |
-0.1% |
|
|
$1,633 |
$1,632 |
-0.4% |
|
|
$2,994 |
$2,992 |
+1.1% |
|
|
$1,854 |
$1,804 |
-0.7% |
|
|
$1,467 |
$1,474 |
-2.2% |
|
|
$2,036 |
$2,009 |
+3% |
|
|
$1,138 |
$1,133 |
+1% |
|
|
$1,299 |
$1,300 |
-1.8% |
|
|
$1,168 |
$1,161 |
-0.3% |
|
|
$1,401 |
$1,401 |
-1.7% |
|
|
$1,623 |
$1,615 |
-3.5% |
|
|
$2,278 |
$2,276 |
+0.8% |
|
|
$1,266 |
$1,259 |
-2.3% |
|
|
$3,787 |
$3,782 |
+1.7% |
|
|
$1,733 |
$1,741 |
-0.1% |
|
|
$1,185 |
$1,182 |
-1.2% |
|
|
$1,122 |
$1,119 |
-0.2% |
|
|
$2,929 |
$2,932 |
-0.1% |
|
|
$1,301 |
$1,302 |
-0.4% |
|
|
$3,254 |
$3,182 |
+2% |
|
|
$1,249 |
$1,237 |
+1.5% |
|
|
$1,279 |
$1,279 |
-2.1% |
|
|
$1,828 |
$1,823 |
+0.4% |
|
|
$2,184 |
$2,177 |
-0.3% |
|
|
$1,515 |
$1,508 |
+1.3% |
|
|
$2,225 |
$2,214 |
+0.2% |
|
|
$1,207 |
$1,194 |
+2.1% |
|
|
$1,411 |
$1,398 |
+1.2% |
|
|
$1,674 |
$1,651 |
-2.9% |
|
|
$4,093 |
$4,075 |
+1.2% |
|
|
$1,578 |
$1,575 |
-1.6% |
|
|
$1,775 |
$1,757 |
+1.2% |
|
|
$1,304 |
$1,304 |
-3.3% |
|
|
$1,421 |
$1,410 |
+0.6% |
|
|
$1,520 |
$1,520 |
-0% |
|
|
$3,524 |
$3,513 |
+1.3% |
|
|
$1,378 |
$1,368 |
-2.3% |
|
|
$1,439 |
$1,422 |
+0.9% |
|
|
$1,565 |
$1,563 |
-1.5% |
|
|
$1,150 |
$1,142 |
+1% |
|
|
$1,074 |
$1,075 |
-3.5% |
|
|
$2,390 |
$2,381 |
-0.8% |
|
|
$3,329 |
$3,262 |
+7.6% |
|
|
$2,714 |
$2,695 |
+1.7% |
|
|
$2,088 |
$2,079 |
-1.7% |
|
|
$1,643 |
$1,642 |
-2.5% |
|
|
$2,255 |
$2,241 |
-2.4% |
How Current Rent Prices Impact Renters
Rents are beginning to rise in preparation for moving season. April and May are the hottest months for the rental market, so renters may see higher prices and fewer concessions, and units may get leased up quickly. Be prepared for more competition and go into your apartment search with a plan!
Need help comparing cities? Our Cost of Living Calculator makes it easy. You can also compare the rent prices from this report to those from March and February to determine the overall trend and visit the U.S. Rent Trends page to view the most current rent prices available across the U.S.
Methodology:
The rent data in this report is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. CoStar Group is the leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, trusted by real estate professionals for more than 37 years. By combining this data with Apartments.com internal data and public record, we’re able to deliver the most up-to-date rental information available.
To determine overall rent trends, we evaluate rent prices from more than 2,400 cities across the nation, including the top 80 national markets. This analysis includes year-over-year and month-over-month rent changes to provide a comprehensive view of market dynamics. This report covers a diverse range of property types to ensure a holistic view of the rental market.
FAQs
What is the average rent in the U.S. right now?
The average rent in the U.S. is currently $1,641 per month, a year-over-year increase of 0.3%.
Which states had the largest rent increases in April 2026?
The states with the largest rent increases in April were West Virginia, Illinois, and Rhode Island. West Virginia’s rent increased by 4.3% compared to last year, Illinois’ average rent increased by 3.5%, and Rhode Island’s average rent increased by 2.8%.
Which states have the cheapest rent right now?
The states with the cheapest rent are Oklahoma, Arkansas, and North Dakota. Oklahoma has the cheapest rent in the U.S. at $913/month, a 0.8% increase over last year.
Are rent prices rising or falling in the U.S.?
Rent prices in the U.S. are rising, averaging 0.3% more than last year.
