US Rental Market Reports
Data-backed guides and periodic rental market reports based on HUD Fair Market Rents, Zillow ZHVI, and Census data.
The Cheapest and Most Expensive States to Rent in 2026
Rent for the same apartment can cost nearly three times as much depending on the state. Here is the full spread across the US — the cheapest and priciest states, and what drives the gap.
US Rent Trends — June 2026 Market Report
National rental market update for June 2026. Analysis of HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow ZHVI across all US metro areas. Which cities saw the biggest rent increases and decreases.
What Is Fair Market Rent (FMR)? A Renter's Guide
Fair Market Rent is the benchmark behind a huge share of US rent data — including ours. Here's what FMR measures, why it differs from listing prices, and how to use it when apartment hunting.
Renting vs. Buying a Home: A Practical Decision Framework
Should you rent or buy? A clear framework using the price-to-rent ratio, the break-even horizon, and the real costs both sides hide — so you can decide based on numbers, not pressure.
How to Budget for Rent: The 30% Rule and What It Misses
A practical guide to budgeting for rent — how the 30% rule works, when it breaks down, and how to figure out what you can actually afford based on your real take-home pay.
US Rent Trends — April 2026 Market Report
National rental market update for April 2026. Analysis of HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow ZHVI across all US metro areas. Which cities saw the biggest rent increases and decreases.
US Rent Trends — February 2026 Market Report
National rental market update for February 2026. Analysis of HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow ZHVI across all US metro areas. Which cities saw the biggest rent increases and decreases.
US Rent Trends — January 2026 Market Report
National rental market update for January 2026. Analysis of HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow ZHVI across all US metro areas. Which cities saw the biggest rent increases and decreases.
US Rent Trends — March 2026 Market Report
National rental market update for March 2026. Analysis of HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow ZHVI across all US metro areas. Which cities saw the biggest rent increases and decreases.
About These Reports
RentData publishes renter guides and periodic market reports based on public, auditable datasets. Our analysis covers HUD Fair Market Rents for roughly 2,500 US market areas and Zillow Home Value Index data for home purchase trends.
Each report highlights the cities with the biggest year-over-year rent increases and decreases, the most affordable metros, and national market trends — all based on verifiable public data.