US Rent Prices 2026: How Much Is Rent by City?
21 October 2026
A renter household in America pays a median of $1,487 a month. That is the latest figure from the US Census Bureau, and it includes utilities such as electricity, water and gas on top of rent. But there is a big gap between the national figure and the largest cities. The median rent reaches $2,448 in San Francisco and $1,975 in Miami.
In this guide we look at US rents city by city, by number of bedrooms and by how much they have risen in recent years, with a separate section on Miami. All figures come from official US statistical agencies.
How Much Is Average Rent in America?
According to the Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS), the median monthly gross rent in the US is $1,487. The median is the figure that half of renters pay less than and half pay more than. 34.7% of households in the country rent their home.
Median rents by number of bedrooms:
| Unit type | US overall | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,321 | $1,486 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,301 | $1,743 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,490 | $2,206 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,677 | $2,179 |
It may seem surprising that studios cost more than one-bedroom units nationally. The reason is that most studios are in expensive city centers such as New York and San Francisco, while one- and two-bedroom units are more common and cheaper in rural areas and smaller cities.
Why Are Asking Rents Higher?
Browse rental listings today and you will see higher figures than in this table. The Census data includes tenants who have lived in the same home for years and still pay a lower rent under an older lease. New listings show today's market price. In Miami, for example, the Census median is $1,975, while the average asking rent in September 2026 was $2,761. Anyone moving now should budget based on asking rents.
US Rent Prices by City
According to Census 2024 data, median monthly rents and the share of renter households in America's largest cities are as follows:
| City | Median rent | Renter share |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $2,448 | 63.3% |
| Boston | $2,196 | 64.1% |
| Seattle | $2,007 | 58.1% |
| Miami | $1,975 | 67.3% |
| Los Angeles | $1,958 | 64.1% |
| Washington DC | $1,931 | 59.1% |
| Tampa | $1,898 | 50.0% |
| Orlando | $1,841 | 62.8% |
| New York | $1,811 | 67.3% |
| Austin | $1,770 | 58.8% |
| Atlanta | $1,765 | 52.3% |
| Phoenix | $1,712 | 42.4% |
| Las Vegas | $1,688 | 43.4% |
| Dallas | $1,599 | 57.8% |
| Chicago | $1,486 | 53.5% |
| Houston | $1,408 | 59.1% |
New York ranks lower than many expect because a large share of its rental units are rent stabilized, meaning rent increases are capped by law. Renting a new apartment in Manhattan requires a budget well above this median.
The median rent in Los Angeles is $1,958. Florida's statewide median is $1,812, while its large cities such as Miami, Tampa and Orlando are clearly above the US average.
How Much Have Rents Risen in America?
According to the rent component of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) consumer price index, rents across the US were up 2.8% year over year in September 2026. Compared with September 2019, before the pandemic, rents are up 34.9%.
Florida cities saw much sharper increases. Over the same period, rents rose 58% in the Tampa area and 52% in the Miami area. Miami rents rose by more than 14% in both 2022 and 2023, then slowed: 4.9% in 2024, 3.7% in 2025 and 1.8% over the twelve months to September 2026.
| Area | Last 12 months | Since 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa | +2.1% | +58.0% |
| Miami | +1.8% | +52.1% |
| Atlanta | +0.9% | +42.0% |
| Phoenix | −1.3% | +41.2% |
| Chicago | +4.5% | +38.2% |
| Boston | +4.3% | +36.8% |
| US overall | +2.8% | +34.9% |
| Los Angeles | +3.2% | +29.1% |
| New York | +4.0% | +26.6% |
| San Francisco | +2.6% | +17.3% |
So today rents are rising fastest in older large cities such as New York, Chicago and Boston. In Florida and Phoenix, which saw huge increases in recent years, growth has slowed, and rents in Phoenix have even dipped slightly.
Rent Prices in Miami
Miami is one of America's most renter-heavy cities: 67.3% of its households rent. According to the Census, the median gross rent is $1,975 in the City of Miami, $2,050 in Miami-Dade County and $2,148 in Miami Beach.
Miami's biggest problem is rent relative to income. 65.3% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent, and 37.8% spend more than half. Nationally, those shares are 51.8% and 26.1%.
According to September 2026 average asking rents, the cost of renting a home in Miami varies widely by neighborhood:
| Neighborhood | Average asking rent |
|---|---|
| Brickell | $3,778 |
| Wynwood | $3,468 |
| Miami Beach | $3,435 |
| Midtown – Edgewater | $3,423 |
| Downtown | $3,308 |
| Little Havana | $2,610 |
| Little Haiti | $1,637 |
By unit size, average asking rents are $2,256 for a studio, $2,444 for one bedroom, $2,977 for two bedrooms and $3,721 for three bedrooms. For neighborhood-by-neighborhood rents and tips for house hunting, see our Miami rental prices guide.
Extra Costs and Rules When Renting
Monthly rent is not the only cost of renting in America. Before moving in, you will usually be asked for:
- Security deposit: Usually one month's rent. Some landlords also ask for the first and last month's rent up front.
- Application fee: Charged for credit and background checks and not refunded.
- Income requirement: Most landlords expect monthly income of about three times the rent. Foreigners without a US credit history may be asked for a higher deposit.
- Renter's insurance: Required by many leases and covers your belongings.
Tenant Rights in Florida
Rental rules vary by state. Under Florida law:
- If the landlord makes no claim on the deposit, it must be returned within 15 days after the tenant moves out. If the landlord intends to make a claim, written notice must be sent within 30 days, and the tenant has 15 days to object.
- For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end the tenancy. For year-to-year tenancies, the notice period is 60 days.
- Cities and counties in Florida cannot cap rent increases. Rent is fixed for the term of the lease, but once the lease ends the landlord can set the new rent freely.
If you are thinking of buying instead of renting, we have compiled state-by-state sale prices on our US home prices page and explained the differences between detached houses, townhouses and condos in our American house types guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in America?
According to US Census Bureau 2024 data, the median monthly gross rent (including utilities) in America is $1,487. In large cities it ranges from about $1,400 to $2,450. Asking rents on new listings are usually above this median.
How much is rent by number of bedrooms in the US?
Nationally, median rents are $1,321 for a studio, $1,301 for one bedroom, $1,490 for two bedrooms and $1,677 for three bedrooms. Rents are much higher in cities such as Miami, Boston and San Francisco.
What do you need to rent a home in America?
Landlords usually ask for a security deposit of about one month's rent, a non-refundable application fee, monthly income of about three times the rent and a credit check. Many leases also require renter's insurance.
How much is rent in Los Angeles?
According to Census 2024 data, the median monthly gross rent in Los Angeles is $1,958, and 64% of households rent. As of September 2026, rents in the Los Angeles area were up 3.2% over the past year.
How much is rent in Florida?
Florida's statewide median monthly gross rent is $1,812. It is higher in large cities: $2,050 in Miami-Dade, $1,898 in Tampa and $1,841 in Orlando.
How much is rent in Miami?
According to the Census, the median gross rent in the City of Miami is $1,975. The average asking rent in September 2026 was $2,761, ranging from $3,778 in Brickell to $1,637 in Little Haiti.