Miami’s Rental Market Is Red Hot, Fueled by Florida’s Renewed Momentum

As the summer moving season ramps up, apartment hunting is becoming more challenging for renters across the U.S. Bolstered by Florida’s growing appeal, Miami strengthens its status as the hottest renting spot with Chicagoland on its toes as a strong contender, driven by its diverse economy and relatively affordable cost of living compared to major coastal cities.

In fact, the mix of job opportunities and affordability has strengthened the appeal of the Midwest, which remains the most competitive region for renting at the start of the moving season. At the same time, securing apartments in Florida and California has become significantly tougher as compared to this time last year.

Meanwhile, over in Texas, renters are facing strong competition in Houston, mainly due to an increase in lease renewals amid a decline in new apartments opened recently.

Interestingly, North Jersey’s rental market has softened, as shown by a sharp year-over-year drop in its RCI score. Instead, apartment seekers are having a harder time finding a rental in Manhattan, NY, which has become more competitive than it was 12 months ago.

Faced with rising living and housing costs, many renters are exploring new housing options that better fit their needs. But, which are the most competitive rental markets in the U.S. at the start of the 2025 moving season? To rank the nation’s toughest places for apartment hunters, RentCafe.com analyzed the 139 largest U.S. markets with available data, focusing on the five key metrics for rental competitiveness:

• the number of days apartments stayed vacant
• the share of rental apartments that were occupied
• the number of prospective renters competing for an apartment
• the percentage of renters who renewed their leases
• the share of new apartments completed recently

Then, to measure the competitiveness of the U.S. rental market at the start of the 2025 rental season, we calculated a Rental Competitiveness Index (RCI). Right now, the national RCI score is 74.6, indicating a very competitive rental market.

Renewal rates are tightening the rental market as fewer new apartments open across the U.S.

The 2025 rental season is off to a tight start, despite new apartment construction hitting its peak in 2024. In fact, only 8% of the major markets analyzed have shown any signs of easing compared to the start of last year’s moving season. Plus, while the number of available apartments has gone up by 0.72% compared to the 0.61% growth the year before, there still aren’t enough rentals to go around.

Notably. tight supply has pushed lease renewal rates to 63.8% at the start of this rental season, up from 62.4% a year ago and helping keep national occupancy steady at 93.3%. As a result, competition has intensified, with an average of nine renters vying for each available unit (up from eight one year earlier) even though the average vacancy period remains unchanged at 46 days.

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What else is contributing to increased rental competition nationwide?

This year, we’re expanding our analysis to include average length of stay for renters, new lease terms, and renewal lengths. Interestingly, there is a strong correlation between initial lease lengths and renewal behavior. This means that renters who sign longer leases are more likely to renew for longer periods, and markets where renters stay longer see higher renewal rates.

• Nationwide, the average renter stays in their apartment for 29 months. New leases average 12 months, and renewals typically extend for another 12 months.
• The Northeast sees the longest average stays at 39 months, led by Brooklyn, NY, where renters stay for an average of 53 months.
• Renters in the Northeast also sign the longest new lease terms, averaging 13 months, with Brooklyn renters signing for 14 months on average.
• Lease renewals are longest in the Northeast as well, averaging 13 months. Again, Brooklyn leads with average renewal terms of 15 months.

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After a long period of cooling, Florida’s rental market is heating up again — driven by retirees seeking a warmer climate and younger renters, including Millennials and Gen Z, attracted by job opportunities, affordability, and the lack of state income tax.

Consequently, Florida is the hottest region for apartment-seekers at the start of this moving season with an RCI score of 80.9 (up from 78.9 a year ago), putting it 6.3 points above the national average. The Northeast comes in second, with its RCI rising 2.3 points year-over-year to 79.4.

The Midwest now ranks third, with an RCI of 77 after a three-point increase from last year, followed by the South at 76.1 (up from 75.2). Likewise, California’s RCI climbed nearly two points to 74.7, just ahead of the Mid-Atlantic at 74.6 (up from 72.6).

Next is the Southeast, where the RCI rose four points to 72.9, closely matched by the Southwest, which saw a 5.1-point jump to the same score. The Pacific Northwest also grew more competitive with a 4.6-point increase bringing its RCI to 71.6. Finally, the West remains the least competitive region, although its RCI still rose one point to 69.8.

Apartment hunting in Miami gets tougher as select Florida markets regain their appeal

With Florida’s renewed momentum, Miami remains the most competitive spot for apartment-hunters as the 2025 moving season begins. Its RCI score rose 2.6 points to 96.7 — 22.1 points above the national average.

Now a major wealth hub, Miami continues to attract corporations, startups, and millionaires seeking sunshine, fueling strong housing demand that’s ramping up ahead of peak season.

Apartments in Miami are filling in just 36 days — faster than in any other major market — and each vacant unit draws 21 renters, more than twice the national average. With only modest supply growth, 74.7% of renters renewed their leases (up from 73.6%), pushing occupancy to 96.6%, second only to Brooklyn.

Mirroring Miami’s increasing competitiveness, Broward County’s apartment market has also heated up in the last year, now ranking third among the nation’s most competitive. Its RCI score climbed 7.7 points over the past year to 85, driven by strong demand from young professionals, families, and retirees in cities like Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood and Miramar.

Yet, despite high demand, the supply of apartments in Broward County grew by only 0.82% in recent months, down from 1.21% one year ago Moreover, with homeownership still out of reach for many, the lease renewal rate rose to 70.7% from 67.3%.

As a result, fewer than 5% of rentals are available. Units now fill in 41 days—Florida’s second-fastest—and draw 14 applicants, up from 13 last year.

Elsewhere in Florida, Orlando (#14, RCI 78.8) and Tampa (#15, RCI 78.5) remain competitive rental markets, even with increased construction. Orlando’s apartment supply grew 1.80%, double last year’s rate, while new units in Tampa now account for 1.39% of inventory.

But, even with more options available, lease renewals rose to 69% in Orlando (up 1.2%) and 69.7% in Tampa — a 4.3% year-over-year jump.

Suburban Chicago remains the 2nd hottest rental market, though the gap with Miami widens

Chicagoland remains an incredibly tough place for apartment hunting, reflecting the continued appeal of the Midwest’s more laid-back lifestyle.

Here, working-age adults (ages 18 to 64) make up two-thirds of the area’s population, thereby fueling demand for rental housing as younger professionals and adults are more likely to rent than buy, especially with homeownership becoming increasingly out of reach.

Now, after coming close to dethroning Miami one year ago, Suburban Chicago holds onto its status as the nation’s second-hottest rental market — though at some distance, as its RCI score of 85.1 trails Miami by a substantial 11.6 points.

In addition to locals searching for rentals, Illinois suburbs like Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, and Elgin are steadily drawing in renters who are priced out of Chicago. However, with very few new units added in Suburban Chicago recently, rental options remain tight.

As such, more than 70% of current renters chose to renew their leases at the start of the moving season (up from 68.7% a year ago), pushing the occupancy rate to 95.6%, which is slightly higher than last year. Competition has also intensified, with 14 renters now vying for each available unit (up from 13), and apartments taking an average of 44 days to fill.

Los Angeles’ rental market gets tighter in wake of wildfires, driving up competition for apartments

As expected following the devastating wildfires in early 2025, the apartment market in Los Angeles became noticeably tighter at the start of the moving season. With many residents displaced and demand for housing on the rise, competition for available rentals intensified, leading to increases across all metrics analyzed.

Specifically, lease renewals jumped 5.1% over the past year — one of the highest increases nationally — reaching 57.8% and leaving fewer than 4% of units available. New apartments in Los Angeles remain limited, with supply growing just 0.3% after a stretch with no new openings.

As a result, renters per unit rose from 14 to 18, and vacancies now fill in 42 days, three days faster than last year.

In northern California, new apartment construction added 1.02% to Silicon Valley’s housing supply (#13 in our ranking), but demand remains high. Lease renewals rose 2.7% year-over-year to 56.8%, pushing occupancy to 95.3% in areas like Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Cupertino, where more and more tech workers are heading back to the office.  Each vacant unit now attracts 12 renters and fills in 39 days.

Likewise, nearly 95% of apartments for rent in San Diego are now occupied, with lease renewals rising to 56.3%. Despite only a 0.39% increase in housing supply, competition has grown, with 12 renters per unit (up from 10), and apartments continue to fill in 43 days, on average.

Houston & Charleston, SC, are the top trending rental markets

Throughout the last 12 months, several key markets have become more competitive for renters who are looking to lock in an apartment. Houston is the nation’s top trending rental market as the moving season begins. A strong oil-driven economy, development projects and a booming medical sector are attracting workers and boosting housing demand.

More precisely, Houston’s RCI score jumped 10.4 points to 75.3, ranking it 28th nationally. This surge stems from a 2.9% rise in lease renewals, pushing the rate to 63.2%. Meanwhile, new construction slowed sharply, with supply growth dropping to 0.48%, down from 1.68% last year.

Still, Houston renters have more options than those in similar cities, with a 91.9% occupancy rate. On average, seven renters compete per unit, and apartments sit vacant for 44 days.

Charleston, SC, is the second-fastest rising rental market as we near peak moving season with its RCI score gaining 9.1 points in the last 12 months to land at 73.2. Here, as well, major employers and new investments (such as Google’s new $2 billion data center campuses) are generating plenty of jobs and spurring demand for housing.

Plus, with the share of new apartments in Charleston dropping to 0.72% from 1.77% one year ago, lease renewals have risen by 1.7% to nearly 60% at the start of the moving season. This has left fewer than 9% of rentals available for apartment-seekers in the area. Currently, each vacant unit receives about eight applicants and is leased within an average of 45 days.

NYC’s Manhattan & Brooklyn see renewals climb to 70%, fewer vacancies, more renters per unit

With Manhattan’s economy rebounding and residents returning post-pandemic, rental demand remains strong — tightening the market and lifting lease renewals. The borough’s RCI score jumped 8.4 points over the past year to 81.7, making it the fourth-fastest-rising market and placing it fifth nationally.

Rental supply increased by just 0.15% after a period of no new deliveries. Meanwhile, 70% of renters chose to renew (up 4.3% year-over-year), pushing occupancy to 95.9%, among the highest in the country. Apartments now fill five days faster, averaging 45 days on the market, with 11 renters competing per unit, up from seven last year.

In Brooklyn, NY’s case, the RCI score rose 3.1 points to 80.6, ranking it eighth nationally. Fewer new units were added (0.61% vs. 0.69% a year ago), and there are slightly fewer applicants per unit, but apartments lease two days faster — now within 45 days. Occupancy dipped slightly below 95%, while lease renewals increased from 63.8% to 65.8%.

In Pittsburgh, rising competition is tied to a full stop in new construction — down from 0.56% growth a year ago. With limited supply, the lease renewal rate rose 1.5 points to 70.1%, leaving just 6% of rentals available. The city’s RCI score climbed 6.3 points to 77.9 at the start of the moving season.

The Northeast is holding strong as a rental hotbed, claiming 7 spots in the top 20

Speaking of the Northeast, last year’s bronze medalist — North Jersey — has slipped to 11th place, largely due to a 0.93% increase in apartment supply, which likely eased pressure in cities like Jersey City, Hoboken or Newark. As a result, competition cooled with 10 renters per unit, down from 13.

The overall occupancy rate also dipped slightly, from 96% to 95% at the start of the rental season. Still, lease renewals rose to an impressive 77.9% in the last year — second only to Central Jersey’s 80.6%.

But, even with North Jersey’s softening, the Northeast remains a red-hot region for apartment-seekers, with seven markets making our national ranking. Four made the top 10, including Manhattan, NY, and Suburban Philadelphia (tied for fifth place with RCI scores of 81.7), followed by Brooklyn, NY, and Bridgeport-New Haven, MA, both in eighth place.

With strong job opportunities and desirable amenities in Pennsylvania areas like King of Prussia, Newton Square, Bryn Mawr and Ardmore, demand for apartments in Suburban Philadelphia remains very high. But, the supply of housing only grew by a mere 0.10% recently — far from enough to meet demand.

As a result, lease renewals rose from 76.3% a year ago to nearly 78% this moving season, leaving only about 5% of rentals available, which is slightly more than last year.

Competition has also intensified with 11 renters now vying for each available unit (up from nine). That said, apartments in the area are being filled a bit faster, averaging 49 days on the market.

Rental competitiveness persists in the Midwest

Like the Northeast, the Midwest holds seven spots in the national top 20 rental markets with three in the top 10.

After Suburban Chicago and Chicago proper, the Lansing–Ann Arbor metro in Michigan ranks as the third-most competitive rental market in the Midwest. Its RCI score climbed 5.7 points in the last year to reach 80.6 and tye for eighth place nationally with Brooklyn, NY, and Bridgeport–New Haven.

Despite having seen no new apartment deliveries for most of last year, the area’s housing supply grew by 0.32% in recent months — but that’s not even close enough to meet demand.

Instead, that shortfall prompted more renters to stay put: The lease renewal rate surged by 5.3 percentage points year-over-year (the largest increase among major Midwestern markets) to reach nearly 70%.

Accordingly, the occupancy rate rose to 95.3%, up from 94.4% one year ago. Of course, with limited inventory, competition has also intensified: Nine renters now compete for each available unit (up from seven 12 months ago), and vacancies are being filled four days faster, averaging 43 days on the market.

By comparison, renters in nearby Grand Rapids, MI, are facing less competition thanks to a recent 1.09% increase in the housing supply following a period with zero deliveries, although securing an apartment remains tough. Even as the metro’s RCI score dropped from 82.2 last year to 78.1, Grand Rapids still ranks as the seventh-hottest rental market in the Midwest and ties with Cincinnati for 17th place nationally.

Rising renewals make Fayetteville, AR, the hottest small rental market

Smaller rental hubs across the U.S. are seeing similar levels of competitiveness, making it just as challenging for apartment-seekers this moving season. The Northeast claims seven spots among the nation’s top 20 small rental markets.

Leading the pack, however, is Fayetteville, AR, the most competitive small metro for renters (RCI score 92.9). This fast-growing area in Northwest Arkansas continues to attract tech workers, recent grads, and students, drawn by affordability and strong job prospects. Rising home prices are also keeping more residents in the rental market longer.

Yet, new apartment construction has slowed sharply with deliveries dropping from 0.70% last year to just 0.13%. Consequently, lease renewals rose to 75.5%, up from 74.8%, pushing the occupancy rate to 96.4% — second only to Lafayette, IN.

Even though apartments are sitting vacant slightly longer — 27 days on average, two days more than last year and still the fastest in the U.S. — competition has increased with 11 renters now vying for each unit, up from nine.

Then, boasting an RCI score of 90.9, Lehigh Valley, PA, emerges as the second-hottest small rental market. The region’s college towns — Allentown, PA; Bethlehem, PA; and Easton, PA — continue to drive demand, adding to Lehigh Valley’s overall appeal.

While securing an apartment is still tough, renters now have slightly more options thanks to a 0.51% increase in new units, up from 0.10% last year. This modest boost caused a slight dip in the lease renewal rate, though it remains the highest among small markets at 81.9%.

Despite the added supply, the market remains tight: occupancy rose to 96.2% (from 95.8%), and competition has intensified with 15 renters per unit, up from 14.

Port St. Lucie, FL, follows in third place, with its RCI jumping 9.1 points to 90.8 amid a complete halt in new apartment construction. With no new supply, lease renewals rose 4.9 points to 77.5%, pushing occupancy to 95.5%. Apartments now fill in 39 days—four days faster than last year—with 13 renters competing for each one.

Lubbock, TX, leads all small metros with the fastest-rising RCI score

Among small metros with rapidly rising RCI scores, Lubbock, TX, stands out as the fastest-climbing rental market. Ranked 12th nationally, its RCI jumped 14.2 points — the largest gain in the U.S. — to 83.5 at the start of the moving season. Lubbock’s growing economy, especially in tech, manufacturing, and services, is attracting job seekers and driving housing demand.

As new construction dropped from 0.90% last year to zero, more renters are staying put. Lease renewals rose to 60.6% (up from 59.3%), pushing occupancy to 94%, up from 91%. Competition also increased, with 12 renters now competing for each available unit, up from eight.

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Similarly, the rental market in Greenville, SC, has grown more competitive with its RCI score rising 13.5 points year-over-year to 80.3 to now rank 27th in the nation. This sharp increase is largely driven by the region’s booming economy, fueled by thriving sectors like advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and logistics, which continue to attract skilled workers in search of better opportunities.

However, once again, there aren’t enough apartments to go around: New construction has slowed considerably, dropping to just 0.59%, down from 2.1% this time last year. As a result, the lease renewal rate has jumped from 59.7% to 62.3% and is further tightening availability for apartment seekers.

With fewer units on the market, renters now face more competition: The number of applicants per unit rose from eight to 10, and apartments are now leasing three days faster, averaging just 40 days on the market.

Trailing at a considerable distance is Eugene, OR, where the RCI score rose by 9.2 points to a strong 74.1, placing it 53rd nationwide. Other small markets heating up as the moving season begins include Spokane, WA (#48); the Tri-City area in Oregon (#54); Wichita, KS (#26); and Amarillo, TX (#35).

Browse the maps below to see the rental competitivity in other regions at the start of the 2025 moving season:

Methodology

RentCafe.com is a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.

To compile this report, RentCafe.com’s research team analyzed Yardi Systems apartment data across 139 rental markets in the U.S. The data comes directly from market-rate, large-scale, multifamily properties of at least 50 units. Fully affordable multifamily properties were excluded.

The markets were ranked based on a market competitive score. To calculate each market’s score, we ranked them according to five metrics and their averages for the first quarter of 2025 (January through March): apartment occupancy rate; average total days vacant; prospective renters per vacant unit; renewal lease rate; and share of new apartments completed during the same timeframe compared to the existing overall supply at the start of Q1 2025. 

We then compiled an average ranking by assigning a percentage weight for each metric: 30% for apartment occupancy rate; 15% for average vacant days; 15% for prospective renters per vacant unit; 30% for renewal lease rate; and 10% for the share of new apartments.

In this study, the terms “market,” “area,” “metro” and “location” are used interchangeably and are as defined by Yardi Matrix markets.

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