Rent hikes are finally easing — except for renters who can afford it the least

Mar 21, 2023
Rents at the bottom of the market, where supply is tighter relative to demand, have risen faster than those of higher-priced properties.
Rent price growth is stuck at around 8.5% for lower-priced renters, well above the increases in other segments of the market.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Housing costs are a main reason inflation is still high

Mar 14, 2023
The cost of shelter is driving more than 70% of inflation right now, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So what gives?
It can take a year or more for changes in housing costs to show up in inflation data.
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This Florida woman used move-in deals to help save up for a house

Mar 1, 2023
Errica Jamil moved seven times in about as many years, earning her free or reduced rent. Now she owns a home of her own.
Chasing move-in specials every year eventually helped Errica Jamil buy a home of her own.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Rents are way up. How are landlords picking the price?

Jan 25, 2023
The national median rent has risen over 20% since 2020, according to Apartment List. And the use of pricing algorithms used by some of the nation's biggest corporate landlords might be playing a role.
While smaller landlords still usually look at comparable units for determining prices, bigger corporate landlords use algorithms.
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The average U.S. renter now spends 30% of their income on rent, a new all-time high

Jan 20, 2023
When people have to spend more and more on rent, there's not much left over for other essentials.
Though there are large geographic differences, the average renter household in the U.S. is spending 30% of their income on rent.
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Renting is now cheaper than owning in most of the country

Jan 20, 2023
A new report from ATTOM says it's now cheaper to rent than own a place in most parts of the country.
A new report says that renting a place in most of the country has become cheaper per month than owning. 
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Rents are finally starting to fall. Here's why.

Dec 15, 2022
There was a huge surge in demand early in the pandemic. That has cooled down dramatically, and in some areas, demand is starting to be met.
Rents in some of the country's most unaffordable markets have begun to dip.
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For public good, not for profit.

Some signs that rents may be moderating after an up-and-down ride

Oct 25, 2022
Migration shifts due to the pandemic are among the factors that have contributed to price fluctuations in the rental market.
A new report says that renting a place in most of the country has become cheaper per month than owning. 
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

How brutal is NYC’s rental market? Just ask this producer.

Sep 28, 2022
One report found that net effective median rent in Brooklyn jumped more than 27% year-over-year in August.
A public radio producer, two roommates and a corgi team up to take on Brooklyn's competitive rental market.
Dylan Miettinen/Marketplace

Rent caps come to the fore as hikes spike

Aug 30, 2022
Rents have been rising fast along with the price of homes, prompting discussion of rent control or stabilization.
Rent prices are on the rise across the U.S., prompting conversation about setting limits on increases. 
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