- Rent growth for single-family rentals (SFR) was just 1% year-over-year in September 2025, the lowest since 2010, per Cotality’s Single-Family Rent Index.
- High-end SFRs rose 1.3%, and low-end rentals increased 1%, both down sharply from 2024.
- Chicago led major metros with 4.3% rent growth, while Dallas (-1.1%) and Miami (-0.7%) saw declines.
- Rents fell in 26% of the top 50 metros, showing a shift in renter demand.
A Market Shift: SFR Rent Growth Cools Nationwide
Single-family rent growth is slowing across the US The 1% annual rise in September 2025 marks the lowest rate in 15 years. According to Globe St, the data, from Cotality’s SFR Index, shows a clear deceleration after several years of fast growth.
The Breakdown: What the Numbers Show
Detached homes saw a 1% rent increase, while attached units grew by 0.9%. Luxury SFRs posted a 1.3% gain, down from 3.2% in 2024. Low-end rentals rose 1%, compared to 2.5% last year.
Some markets have begun to reverse course. Dallas and Miami, both of which saw big rent increases over five years, are now seeing declines.
Top metros by rent growth include:
- Chicago: 4.3%
- Washington, DC: 3.1%
- Philadelphia: 2%
- Los Angeles: 1.5%
Others, like New York (1%), Detroit (0.5%), and Houston (0.1%), saw weaker gains.
Why It Matters
This cooling trend offers relief to renters after years of steep increases. Rent growth is now better aligned with income gains, improving affordability in some markets.
Still, average rents remain much higher than they were five years ago. Rising costs during that period added roughly $7,300 per year to the typical lease.
What’s Next
More metros may see softening rents as supply grows and wage growth slows. However, market performance will vary by region. In some metros, single-family homes continue to outperform multifamily in terms of rental pricing, pointing to lasting demand for detached rental housing.
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