Man and woman carry boxes and a plant moving items.

What is the Average Rent in the U.S.?

Published December 4, 2024

5 min read

Table of contents

Key points about: average apartment rent

The United States median gross rent was $1,268 from 2018-2022, according to the United States Census Bureau. However, costs vary by state and city.
Landlords often run a credit check on apartment applicants to determine their financial responsibility.
You may be able to improve your credit score by having rent payments reported to the credit bureaus or using your credit card to pay rent.

Housing costs are considered markers of the country’s financial well-being. Our homes are the centers of our lives and, often, our budgets. According to the most recent United States Census data, around 35% of households in the country rent apartment units or houses. Therefore, the average rent cost where you live could impact your other financial decisions, from applying for credit cards to choosing a career.

Average apartment rent in the United States

The United States Census Bureau found that from 2018 to 2022, the median gross rent was $1,268 across American households. That means half of all the rent amounts the Census collected were less than $1,268, and half were more.

Rent costs vary across different types of units, from one-bedroom apartments to single-family homes. Outliers, like expensive luxury apartments and affordable housing complexes, may skew average rent numbers. To adjust, the Census measures median gross rent instead because extremes have a minimal impact on medians.

Some renters have to pay for water, gas, electricity, and/or sewage expenses on top of their monthly rent. Gross rent includes monthly utility costs if renters are responsible for covering them.

Census data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that many renters have had to stretch their budgets to cover rent increases over the last few years. From 2019 to 2021, the percentage of renters considered cost-burdened increased from about 46% to 49%, a difference of around a million households, according to the Census Bureau. People with the lowest incomes have been hit hardest, but households at all income levels have felt the strain. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development considers a person “cost burdened” if rent takes up over 30% of their income.

Average monthly rent across the U.S.

It’s no secret that rents vary significantly across states, cities, and even neighborhoods. Renting in a metro area typically comes at a high cost due to the high demand for housing. A renter in a more rural, less densely populated area usually pays less per month. The United States Census offers a map of median gross rents across the country, which offers detailed insight into regional rent differences. Some highlights include the following (amounts were sourced January 9, 2024):

New York State: $1,507
- New York City: $1,714
- Syracuse: $932
New Jersey: $1,577
- Jersey City: $1,799
California: $1,856
- Los Angeles: $1,791
- San Francisco: $2,316
- San Jose: $2,526
Washington, DC: $1,817
West Virginia: $831
North Dakota: $912
South Dakota: $878
Arkansas: $868
Florida: $1,444
North Carolina: $1,093
South Carolina: $1,065
Texas: $1,251
- Austin: $1,549
- Cottle County: $375

Apartment rent and your credit

Renting may help you build your credit history. The three credit bureaus incorporate rental information into credit reports when they receive it. However, most landlords don’t automatically report rent payments to credit reporting agencies.

If you’d like to use your consistent rental payments to improve your score, you have a few options. You may ask your landlord to start reporting your payments to credit reporting agencies or sign up for a rent reporting service.

Many apartment applications include a credit check. Your credit history gives landlords an idea of your ability to manage money and pay bills on time. If your credit report shows a spotty payment history or a lot of credit card debt, you may have fewer rental options than you would with a high credit score.

Did you know?

If your credit score has recently taken a hit, you may need to improve it before you go to rent your next apartment. If you have a credit card and use it responsibly–by paying your bills on time and not using too much of your available credit at once, for example–it may help improve your credit score.

See if you’re pre-approved

Can you pay rent with a credit card?

Some landlords and property managers accept rent payments via credit card. However, others may not have the tools to process credit card payments. Paying rent with a credit card may cost you a little more, as you could be responsible for covering processing fees. Paying rent with a credit card each month could help you build your credit history when used responsibly and help you earn credit card rewards.

Using a credit card to pay rent may not always be the best choice. For most people, rent is a major expense. If rent takes up a large portion of your available credit each month, you could hurt your score by increasing your credit utilization ratio. Using a credit card to cover rent when you can’t afford it could quickly lead to unmanageable debt. Before you begin paying rent with a credit card, it’s essential to establish a plan.

Rent plays a central role in many Americans’ financial lives. While the median rent across the country was $1,268 from 2018-2022, your costs depend on your location and other unique circumstances. Responsible credit and rental habits often go together, so it’s important to maintain a healthy credit score.

Important Information >

See if you’re Pre-approved before you apply

Check Now

Next steps

See if you're pre-approved

Check Now

View all Discover credit cards

See rates, rewards and other info

Learn More