Rentec Direct’s 2026 State of Rent Report reveals what renters actually pay across the U.S.

GRANTS PASS, Ore., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Average monthly rent paid across the U.S. reached $1,388 in 2026 year-to-date, up 38% since 2019, even as rent growth begins to slow. Rentec Direct’s 2026 State of Rent Report analyzes real rent payment data to reveal what renters actually pay each month, offering a different perspective from advertised prices for vacant units. The findings show that while average rent has reached a new high, growth is stabilizing nationally, with notable trends emerging at the state level.

Key findings from the report, based on rent payment data from 600,000 rental units managed through Rentec Direct’s software platform, include:

• Average rent is up 38% since 2019. Rent paid has increased $375 per month, reaching $1,388 in 2026 YTD.
• Rent growth is slowing. After rising 5% in 2025, average rent is up just 1% in 2026 YTD.
• Affordability varies dramatically by state. In 2025, average monthly rent ranged from $773 in West Virginia to $2,399 in California—a $1,626 difference.
• Rent trends are diverging. As national growth slows, rent growth is accelerating in markets like Connecticut, Hawaii and Idaho.

“Rent growth may be stabilizing, but that doesn’t mean housing has become more affordable,” said Nathan Miller, founder and CEO of Rentec Direct, real estate investor and Pacific Northwest landlord. “Rents are still nearly 40% higher than they were in 2019, and the national average doesn’t always tell the whole story. We’re seeing very different trends from state to state, which makes understanding local market conditions increasingly important for both renters and housing providers. As the market settles into a slower pace of growth, making informed decisions about pricing, property investments and tenant retention will matter more than ever.”

Data in the report reflects actual rent payments made by tenants and collected by landlords. Most rental market reports rely on advertised rents for vacant units, which may differ from what tenants actually pay. Asking prices may not account for existing lease rates, rent control policies, discounts or negotiated prices. By tracking rent payments rather than advertised prices alone, the report offers a more complete picture of how rental costs are changing over time.

To view the full 2026 State of Rent Report, visit: https://www.rentecdirect.com/learn/research/rent-report-2026.

Methodology

This report analyzes aggregated, anonymous rent payment data from more than 600,000 rental properties managed through the Rentec Direct platform. The dataset includes single-family and multifamily properties, individual rooms and mobile homes, and excludes commercial properties. Rent payments above $20,000 were omitted as outliers. This report is intended to identify trends and may not fully represent the U.S. rental market as a whole.

About Rentec Direct

Rentec Direct provides industry-leading property management software and tenant screening solutions for real estate professionals across the small, mid and large property management segments. Key features include online rent payments, a mobile app and tenant portal, vacancy listing syndication, and robust accounting tools. Founded in 2007, Rentec Direct is the largest software platform serving both landlords and property managers, with more five-star reviews than any other property management software. A 10-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, Rentec Direct was also named Real Estate Company of the Year in the 2026 American Business Awards® and recognized among the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Small Businesses. www.rentecdirect.com

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SOURCE Rentec Direct, LLC