A $2 rise in average U.S. rents in February 2019 and year-over-year growth of 3.6%, the highest since late 2016, point to the multifamily industry’s continuing strength, according to a report from Yardi Matrix.
A February survey of 127 major U.S. real estate markets shows that demand, bolstered by a job market with low unemployment and accelerating wage growth, shows no signs of slowing.
Demand is most pronounced in metros with strong population gains and healthy job growth. Rents averaged $1,426 for the month.
The latest numbers “are evidence that the market has strength to perform well for a while, even if the economy or other commercial real estate segments slow down,” the report says. “Occupancy rates have ticked down slightly, but absorption has been no problem.”
February’s year-over-year rent growth leaders were Phoenix, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Calif., Atlanta, and California’s Inland Empire. View the full report.
U.S. multifamily rents rose $2 in February to $1,426 and year-over-year growth remained at 3.6%, as January was revised upward from 3.3% to 3.6%. Annual growth is the highest it has been since late 2016. Rent growth has steadily increased since bottoming at 2.2% in the fall of 2017. The consistent growth is a sign of the strength of the sector’s fundamentals and an indication that the cycle has a ways to run.
The desert Southwest continues to lead our rankings of top markets, as Phoenix (8.0%) and Las Vegas (7.9%) charge ahead. The gap between the top two markets and the rest of the nation is expanding, as well. Sacramento (5.1%) ranks third, with growth nearly 300 basis points less.
Related Stories
MFPRO+ News | Oct 6, 2023
Announcing MultifamilyPro+
BD+C has served the multifamily design and construction sector for more than 60 years, and now we're introducing a central hub within BDCnetwork.com for all things multifamily.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Sep 29, 2023
Win-Win Scenarios for Residents and Property Managers
Discover how proptech is opening open new paths to revenue for owners and property managers, while bringing desirable amenities and conveniences for renters. Check out my thoughts on profitable, resident-centric proptech.
Products and Materials | Sep 29, 2023
Top building products for September 2023
BD+C Editors break down 15 of the top building products this month, from smart light switches to glass wall systems.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 26, 2023
Midwest metros see greatest rent increase in September 2023
While the median monthly price of rent has increased by 0.71% in August, the year-over-year estimates show a national change of -0.06 percent.
Affordable Housing | Sep 25, 2023
3 affordable housing projects that serve as social catalysts
Trish Donnally, Associate Principal, Perkins Eastman, shares insights from three transformative affordable housing projects.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Sep 25, 2023
Six3Tile helps The Sherbert Group bring an abandoned Power House back to life
Cladding and Facade Systems | Sep 22, 2023
5 building façade products for your next multifamily project
A building's façade acts as a first impression of the contents within. For the multifamily sector, they have the potential to draw in tenants on aesthetics alone.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Sep 21, 2023
5 Helpful Resources for Designing & Building with Engineered Wood
From in-depth, technical publications with detailed illustrations and examples to in-person consultations with engineered wood specialists, APA offers a host of helpful resources for commercial designers and installers working with engineered wood.
MFPRO+ Blog | Sep 21, 2023
The benefits of strategic multifamily housing repositioning
With the rapid increase in new multifamily housing developments, owners of existing assets face increasing competition. As their assets age and the number of new developments increases seemingly day-by-day, developers will inevitably have to find a way to stay relevant.
Mixed-Use | Sep 20, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays, Hines finalize deal for a stadium-anchored multiuse district in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team announced that it has reached an agreement with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County on a $6.5 billion, 86-acre mixed-use development that will include a new 30,000-seat ballpark and an array of office, housing, hotel, retail, and restaurant space totaling 8 million sf.
