Redfin Reports Asking Rents Rose a Record 15% in January

Rhea-AI Summary

In January 2022, average monthly rents in the U.S. surged by 15.2% year over year, reaching $1,891, marking the largest increase since February 2020. Additionally, the national median mortgage payment for homebuyers rose 25% to $1,595. Key cities like Portland and Austin experienced rent hikes exceeding 30%. The data indicates a continued rising trend in housing costs, putting pressure on renters as fewer affordable options are available.

Positive

• Average monthly rents up 15.2% YoY to $1,891.
• Median mortgage payments increased 25% to $1,595.

Negative

• Only 13 of the top 50 U.S. metro areas saw rents increase more than mortgage payments.
• Rising mortgage rates limit home-buying options, increasing rent pressure.

Portland and Austin saw the largest increases, with rents surging more than 30% year over year

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (NASDAQ: RDFN) — Average monthly asking rents in the U.S. increased 15.2% year over year to $1,891 in January, according to a new report from Redfin (redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. This was the largest annual jump since at least February 2020.

Meanwhile, the national median monthly mortgage payment for homebuyers climbed 25% year over year to $1,595, also the biggest increase in Redfin’s records.

“Moving right now is expensive, whether you’re renting or buying,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “One of the only ways to avoid high housing costs is to move somewhere cheaper, but the list of places that are truly inexpensive is shrinking. Rising mortgage rates are squeezing more Americans out of the for-sale market, which will likely put increasing pressure on rents in the coming months.”

Rental Market Summary	January 2022	Month-Over-Month	Year-Over-Year
Average Monthly Rent	$1,891	0.7%	15.2%
Median Monthly Mortgage Payment for Homebuyers w/ 5% Down Payment	$1,595	3.0%	25.0%

Year over year, rent increases outpaced mortgage-payment increases for new homebuyers in just 13 of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas in January.

Rents Are Up Over 30% In Portland, OR, Austin, TX & New York City

The 10 metro areas with the biggest increases in rent prices—up 30% or more year over year—are primarily located in the Tri-State Area and Florida. Portland, OR and Austin, TX also made the list, leading the way with increases of 39% and 35%, respectively.

Top 10 Metro Areas With Fastest-Rising Rents Year Over Year

1. Portland, OR (+39%)
2. Austin, TX (+35%)
3. Newark, NJ (+33%)
4. Nassau County, NY (+33%)
5. New York, NY (+33%)
6. New Brunswick, NJ (+33%)
7. Tampa, FL (+31%)
8. Fort Lauderdale, FL (+31%)
9. West Palm Beach, FL (+31%)
10. Miami, FL (+31%)

Just two of the top 50 metro areas saw rents fall in January from a year earlier. Rents declined 4% in both Kansas City, MO and Milwaukee.

To read the full report, including charts, additional data and methodology, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/redfin-rental-report-january-2022/

About Redfin

Redfin (www.redfin.com) is a technology-powered real estate company. We help people find a place to live with brokerage, instant home-buying (iBuying), rentals, lending, title insurance, and renovations services. We sell homes for more money and charge half the fee. We also run the country's #1 real-estate brokerage site. Our home-buying customers see homes first with on-demand tours, and our lending and title services help them close quickly. Customers selling a home can take an instant cash offer from Redfin or have our renovations crew fix up their home to sell for top dollar. Our rentals business empowers millions nationwide to find apartments and houses for rent. Since launching in 2006, we've saved customers more than $1 billion in commissions. We serve more than 100 markets across the U.S. and Canada and employ over 6,000 people.

For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit www.redfin.com. To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center. To be added to Redfin's press release distribution list, email press@redfin.com. To view Redfin's press center, click here.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220218005506/en/

Redfin Journalist Services:

Ally Braun, 661-312-1050

press@redfin.com

Source: Redfin

FAQ

What is the average rent increase for January 2022 reported by RDFN?

In January 2022, average monthly rents in the U.S. rose by 15.2% year over year, reaching $1,891.

How much did mortgage payments increase in January 2022?

The national median monthly mortgage payment for homebuyers in January 2022 climbed 25% to $1,595.

Which metro areas saw the largest rent increases in January 2022?

Portland, OR (39%) and Austin, TX (35%) had the largest rent increases in January 2022.

How many metro areas saw rent declines in January 2022?

Only two of the top 50 metro areas, Kansas City, MO and Milwaukee, WI, experienced rent declines in January 2022.

What does Redfin's report indicate about housing trends?

Redfin's report indicates rising housing costs and pressure on rents due to limited affordable options and higher mortgage rates.