The Ready Renter: February 2026

The ready renter

February 2026

Where to find new rentals for a successful spring search

Hi there, it’s Andra! This month, there’s some good news for your apartment search, plus tips to help you save. Here’s what’s inside this month’s edition:

Which cities are adding the most affordable apartments
Seattle, Austin and San Antonio’s top zip codes for new rentals
How to spend less on rent and self-storage
Best cities for young couples building a life in 2026
A free calculator to help you set your rent budget

Our latest research

Fresh apartment market data to keep you up to date.

Record year for affordable housing construction

Over the past five years, nearly 310,000 new apartments designed for lower- and moderate-income renters have been built across the country. That means more options — especially if you’re looking in cities like Seattle, New York City, Austin or San Antonio, which saw some of the biggest increases. In Austin and San Antonio alone, the number of new affordable apartments more than doubled compared to five years ago.

From our editor

“Finding budget-friendly apartments starts with figuring out your budget and exploring your options. To stay ahead of the competition, have your photo ID, recent pay stubs and landlord references ready. A complete application packet ensures you’re first in line for your dream home!”

Veronica Grecu, Senior Real Estate Writer and Research Analyst at RentCafe.com

Tips & tricks

All you need for a smooth renter experience.

Where new apartments are opening in Seattle

See which neighborhoods are adding the most new rentals.

The San Antonio zip codes with the most new apartments

Find out where new rental options are opening.

Where to find newly built rentals in Austin, TX

Here’s a guided tour through the city’s new apartment hotspots.

Rental trends & insights

Latest scoop you might be interested in.

What kept us busy?

New features for an easy apartment search on RentCafe.com.

Get a clear picture of your rent budget

The rent affordability calculator takes the math off your plate so you can focus on finding a place you actually love. Just enter your income and expenses and we’ll show you a realistic number to spend on rent each month. Give it a try here.