Average Rent in the USA: 2026 Costs by City and State

As of June 2026, the typical US market rent was $1,962 a month, according to the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The latest US Census data puts median gross rent at $1,487, but that figure comes from 2024 and reflects existing renter households rather than the current rental market.

If you are planning a move to the US, the number that matters most is what you are likely to pay in the area you are moving to. This guide compares current rents by metro and state, explains what drives the differences, and covers the extra costs and rental checks UK movers should expect. Once you know where you are heading and what you can afford, you can start planning your removals to the USA from the UK.

What Is the Average Rent in the USA in 2026?

There is no single rent figure that tells the whole story. Different sources measure different things, so it helps to know what each number actually represents.

Metric	What It Tells You
Typical market rent	What renters are likely to see in the current market, based on Zillow’s ZORI measure
Median gross rent	What occupied renter households paid during the Census survey period, including specified housing costs
Average rent	A common search term, but not a single standard measure

For someone moving in 2026, current market rent is usually the more useful figure. Zillow’s June 2026 market report put typical US rent at $1,962 a month, up 2.3% year on year.

The Census figure of $1,487 is still useful as a national benchmark, but it comes from 2024 and reflects existing renter households rather than today’s market.

Average Rent in Major US Metros

Rent varies a lot between major US metros. In June 2026, the gap between New York and Houston was more than $1,900 a month before you even get into the neighborhood or property type.

The table below uses Zillow’s June 2026 market-rent data so every metro is being compared on the same basis.

Typical Market Rent by Major US Metro, June 2026

Metro	Typical Market Rent (USD)	vs US Typical Rent	What to Know
New York metro	$3,573	About 82% above	Highest-cost market in this group
Los Angeles	$2,927	About 49% above	Prices vary sharply by neighbourhood
Chicago	$2,275	About 16% above	Closer to the national level than New York or LA
US overall	$1,965	Baseline	National typical market rent
Dallas	$1,673	About 15% below	Below the national level
Houston	$1,648	About 16% below	One of the cheaper large metros in this comparison

Source: Zillow’s June 2026 market report. Data verified for June 2026.

These figures are useful for comparing markets, but they are still metro-wide averages. The rent you actually pay can change significantly depending on the neighbourhood, property size and type of home.

How Much Does a One-Bedroom or Two-Bedroom Apartment Cost?

The latest US Census data gives a useful national benchmark for rent by property size. In 2024, median gross rent was $1,301 for a one-bedroom and $1,490 for a two-bedroom home.

Median Gross Rent by Property Size, 2024

Bedrooms	Median Gross Rent
Studio	$1,321
One bedroom	$1,301
Two bedrooms	$1,490
Three bedrooms	$1,677
Four bedrooms	$2,069

Source: US Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey, Table B25031.

These figures reflect occupied rental homes during the 2024 Census survey period, so they are not the same as current 2026 market rents. Someone signing a new lease today, especially in a major metro, may pay considerably more.

The studio figure is slightly higher than the one-bedroom figure nationally. That is not a typo, it is what the Census data reports.

How Does Rent Compare by State?

Rent varies considerably from state to state. Apartment List’s July 2026 estimates put the national median rent at $1,388 a month. California was about 61% above that figure, while Oklahoma was almost 27% below it.

Median Rent by State, July 2026

State	Median Rent	vs US Median	Cost Position
California	$2,234	61.0% above	Well above
Massachusetts	$2,054	48.0% above	Well above
New York	$2,018	45.4% above	Well above
Florida	$1,506	8.5% above	Slightly above
Texas	$1,228	11.5% below	Below
Ohio	$1,119	19.4% below	Below
Mississippi	$1,097	21.0% below	Well below
Oklahoma	$1,018	26.7% below	Well below
US overall	$1,388	Baseline	National median

Source: Apartment List Rent Estimates, July 2026. Figures show estimated median rent. Percentage comparisons are calculated against the July 2026 US median of $1,388.

State figures are useful for comparing broad cost levels, but they can hide large differences within the same state. New York City, for example, is a very different rental market from upstate New York. Once you have chosen a state, check current rents in the specific metro and neighbourhood where you plan to live.

Which US Cities Have Lower Rents?

Several large US metros sit well below the national rent level. In Zillow’s June 2026 data, Oklahoma City had a typical rent of $1,393, Cleveland $1,474, Columbus $1,528 and Kansas City $1,545. Houston and Dallas were also below the $1,965 national figure at $1,648 and $1,673.

These are metro-wide figures, so the rent you actually pay will still depend on the neighbourhood and property type. But they give a much clearer sense of where your budget may stretch further than simply calling the Midwest or South “affordable”.

The state data tells a similar story. Oklahoma, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas all sat below the national median in Apartment List’s July 2026 figures.

If you are also comparing schools, safety and family costs, our guide to the best states to raise a family in the USA looks at those factors alongside housing.

How Much Should You Budget for Rent?

A common US affordability benchmark is to keep total housing costs around 30% of gross income. HUD generally describes households spending more than 30% on housing as cost burdened.

That figure includes more than rent alone. Utilities can count too. So if you earn $5,000 a month before tax, 30% works out to $1,500 in total housing costs. A $2,000 rent would already take up 40% of that income before any separately billed utilities are added.

Treat the 30% figure as a budgeting guide, not a hard rule. Your actual limit depends on the rest of your monthly costs and how much you want to leave for savings, transport and everyday spending. If you are planning the full cost of a move from the UK, MoneyHelper’s budgeting guidance can help you build the wider budget.

What Costs Come on Top of Rent?

The advertised rent is often only part of the monthly cost. Depending on the property and location, you may also need to pay for:

• utilities such as electricity, gas and water
• internet and building service fees
• parking
• renters’ insurance
• pet fees or monthly pet rent
• move-in costs such as a security deposit, first month’s rent and other permitted upfront charges

The exact amounts vary by state, city and landlord, so ask for a full breakdown before signing the lease.

In 2026, the Federal Trade Commission opened a rulemaking process focused on potentially hidden or misleading rental fees. Whatever the local rules are, it is worth getting all mandatory monthly charges in writing before you commit.

What Should UK Movers Know Before Renting in the USA?

Renting in the US can take a little more preparation when you have just arrived from the UK, mainly because landlords often rely on credit and tenant-screening records that you may not have yet.

• Expect a tenant screening. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says screening reports can include credit history, employment, income, eviction records and rental history. If your US file is limited, ask the landlord what other evidence they will accept.
• Be ready to show alternatives to US credit history. A newly arrived UK renter may have little or no established US credit record. Some landlords may accept proof of income, an employment offer letter, bank statements or a guarantor instead.
• Check local deposit and fee rules. These vary by state and city. In New York City, for example, the FARE Act prevents a landlord or the landlord’s broker from passing that broker fee to the tenant. Other markets have different rules, so check the requirements where you are actually moving.
• Be careful with rentals arranged from overseas. The Federal Trade Commission warns against listings that ask for payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency or gift card. Verify the property and landlord before sending money.

If you are relocating for work, our guide to moving to the USA for work covers the employment side of the move. Families can also use our guide to moving to the USA with family for the wider settling-in process.

Are US Rents Rising in 2026?

Yes. US rents are still rising in 2026, although the pace is fairly modest. Zillow put the typical market rent at $1,965 in June, up 2.2% from a year earlier. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported rent of primary residence up 2.9% year on year in July.

Renters still have some leverage in many markets. Zillow found that 39.7% of rental listings offered a concession in June 2026, compared with 35.2% a year earlier. That could mean a free month, reduced deposit or another incentive, depending on the landlord.

There is no single best season to rent across the whole country. Availability, prices and incentives vary by city, so check current listings in the area you are moving to rather than assuming winter or summer will always be cheaper.

Should You Ship Furniture or Rent Furnished?

Furnished rentals usually cost more than comparable unfurnished homes, but there is no reliable national premium. The difference depends on the city, lease length and property type.

For UK movers, timing often matters more than the rent difference. If you arrive before your belongings, a furnished rental can cover the gap. Our guide to shipping furniture to the USA estimates around 2 to 6 weeks to port for a full container and 7 to 10 weeks for a shared container, with customs time added on top.

Compare that timeline with the cost of a few weeks in furnished accommodation before deciding whether to ship your furniture, buy after you arrive, or rent furnished temporarily.

Before signing, check exactly what is included. “Furnished” can mean anything from a fully equipped home to little more than basic bedroom furniture.

Moving Your Household From the UK to the USA

Your lease date and your moving date need to work together. If your belongings arrive weeks after you do, or before your new home is ready, the move becomes more complicated and more expensive than it needs to be.

Alongside your rent, budget for the cost of getting your belongings to the US. Our cost of moving to America guide breaks down current costs by shipment size, while container shipping to the USA explains the main options for larger household moves and typical transit times.

It also helps to plan for the practical side of settling in. Our guide to understanding US culture covers some of the everyday differences UK movers notice after arrival.

Once you know your destination, household size and likely moving date, you can get a quote for your move to the USA based on your actual shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in the USA right now?

The best current benchmark for average rent in the USA is Zillow’s typical market rent, which was $1,962 a month in July 2026, about 2.3% higher than a year earlier. The latest Census benchmark remains $1,487 in 2024 for median gross rent among occupied renter households.

How much should I spend on rent each month?

How much you should spend on rent each month depends on your wider budget, but 30% of gross income is a common housing-cost benchmark. On $5,000 a month, that equals $1,500 in total housing costs. Utilities can be included in that measure, so treat 30% as a guide rather than a rent-only limit.

Which US cities have lower average rent?

US cities with lower average rent include Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Columbus and Kansas City. Zillow’s July 2026 metro data puts their typical rents at about $1,390, $1,476, $1,519 and $1,546 respectively, all below the $1,962 national figure. Houston and Dallas were also below the national level.

How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost in the USA?

A one-bedroom apartment in the USA had a median gross rent of $1,301 in the latest 2024 Census data. That figure reflects occupied rental homes, not current asking rents. Someone signing a new lease in a major US metro in 2026 can therefore face a considerably higher monthly price.

How does average rent differ by state?

Average rent differs sharply by state. Apartment List’s July 2026 median rent estimates put California at $2,234, Massachusetts at $2,054 and New York at $2,018, compared with a $1,388 US median. Texas was $1,228, Ohio $1,119, Mississippi $1,097 and Oklahoma $1,018.

Do I need a US credit history to rent in America as a new arrival?

You do not always need a US credit history to rent in America, but many landlords use credit and tenant-screening reports. A newly arrived UK renter may have little or no established US credit history, so ask whether the landlord accepts alternatives such as proof of income, an employment letter, bank statements or a guarantor.

---

Rent figures in this guide are based on data from Zillow, the US Census Bureau, Apartment List and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited, and will change as the rental market moves. Check current local listings before setting your own moving budget. For official UK government guidance on living in the USA, see GOV.UK’s guidance for British nationals and GOV.UK’s guidance on moving or retiring abroad. Last updated 21 August 2026.