U.S. Apartment Rent Growth Trends Analysis
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 25 2026
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Should l Buy CSGP?
Source: Newsfilter
- Rent Growth Overview: In February 2026, U.S. apartment rents averaged $1,716, reflecting a modest 0.1% increase from December's revised figure of $1,714, indicating a continuation of positive trends since December 2025 after five months of negative growth, suggesting a gradual market recovery.
- Annual Growth Slowdown: The annual rent growth rate eased to 0.4% in February 2026 from 0.6% in January and 1.5% in February 2025, highlighting that while the market is recovering, overall growth remains below historical averages, reflecting ongoing supply-demand imbalances.
- Market Performance Disparities: Among the top 50 U.S. markets, 38 reported rent increases in February, down from 42 in January, indicating a slowdown in market activity, particularly in Sun Belt markets facing rising vacancy rates due to aggressive new supply, which is putting downward pressure on rents.
- Regional Rent Fluctuations: San Francisco led with a 5.7% annual growth rate, while Austin experienced a 5.1% decline, illustrating the negative impact of oversupply on rents and emphasizing the critical role of supply-demand dynamics across different markets.
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Analyst Views on CSGP
Wall Street analysts forecast CSGP stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 40.340
Low
48.00
Averages
74.92
High
101.00
Current: 40.340
Low
48.00
Averages
74.92
High
101.00
About CSGP
CoStar Group, Inc. is a provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, analytics, and three-dimensional (3D) digital twin technology in the property markets. The Company operates through two segments, which include Commercial Real Estate and Residential Real Estate. Its Commercial Real Estate segment offers commercial real estate information and analytics, online marketplaces, and 3D digital twin technology. Its brands include CoStar and LoopNet. Its CoStar offers subscription-based access to its platform of commercial real estate intelligence. Its LoopNet is a commercial real estate marketing site which enables property owners, landlords, and brokers to advertise properties for sale or lease on a site. Its Residential Real Estate segment hosts marketplaces which aggregate consumer demand for homes to rent or buy and sell marketing and leads to the agents, owners, landlords, and property management companies to reach consumers with offerings.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
U.S. Apartment Rent Growth Trends Analysis
- Rent Growth Overview: In March 2026, U.S. apartment rents increased to an average of $1,723, marking a 0.2% rise from February's $1,719, representing the fourth consecutive month of positive growth, indicating a gradual recovery after a flat to declining trend in the latter half of 2025.
- Regional Performance Disparities: While all five regions posted month-over-month increases, with the Midwest and Mountain regions leading at +0.3%, year-over-year growth was uneven, with the Midwest at +1.9% and declines in the South and Mountain regions at -1.3% and -2.2%, respectively, highlighting ongoing supply-demand imbalances.
- Market Dynamics Shift: Among the top 50 markets, 46 experienced month-over-month rent growth in March, led by San Francisco (+0.8%), Boston (+0.7%), and East Bay (+0.6%), while Oklahoma City and Northern New Jersey saw slight declines of -0.1%, reflecting intense market competition.
- Ongoing Supply Pressure: Despite many markets moving past peak construction activity, significant inventory overhang persists, particularly in Austin (-4.8% year-over-year) and Denver (-3.5%), indicating that new supply continues to outpace demand, thereby restraining further rent growth.
See More
Southbank East Sees Demand Recovery
- Demand Recovery: In Q4 2025, Southbank East recorded an annual net absorption exceeding 200,000 sq ft, marking the strongest quarterly performance in over a decade, indicating signs of market recovery after two years of declining demand.
- Vacancy Rate Shift: The submarket's vacancy rate hit a 12-year high of 11.5% at the beginning of 2025, significantly up from less than 2% in 2019, reflecting the impact of new space deliveries coinciding with a slowdown in leasing activity.
- Development Completions: Nearly 1 million sq ft of new space has been delivered in Southbank East since 2020, with this development volume being more than five times that of the preceding five-year period, although over 20% of this new space remains available, suggesting gradual market improvement.
- Leasing Market Dynamics: The vacancy rate for floorplates larger than 15,000 sq ft stands at just 8.3%, lower than the London-wide rate of over 12%, indicating that tenants seeking larger spaces may face limited options, potentially impacting future leasing decisions.
See More
Single Women Outpace Men in Homebuying Trends
- Income Disparity Reversal: According to the National Association of Realtors, first-time single women homebuyers have a median income of $73,000, surpassing single men's $66,400, marking a potential shift in long-term homebuying trends favoring women.
- Rising Homebuyer Proportion: Single women account for 25% of first-time homebuyers compared to 10% for single men, a significant increase from 11% and 9% in 1985, indicating a growing recognition of homeownership as a wealth-building tool among women.
- Mismatch of Home Prices and Income: From 2000 to 2024, median household income rose by approximately 155%, while home prices surged by about 207%, creating substantial challenges for single buyers, particularly women relying on a single income to qualify for mortgages.
- Financial Sacrifices for Goals: Among single women buyers, 41% reported making financial sacrifices to save for a down payment, compared to 31% of men, highlighting women's commitment to achieving homeownership and financial independence despite economic hurdles.
See More
2026 CoStar Impact Awards Winners Announced
- Expert Selection: A panel of 570 industry experts across 129 global markets selected the winners of the 2026 CoStar Impact Awards, highlighting exemplary achievements in commercial real estate that elevate industry standards and market vitality.
- Outstanding Development: JPMorgan Chase's new headquarters at 270 Park Ave in New York City was recognized as the Commercial Development of the Year, with a 60-story, 2.5 million-square-foot skyscraper representing a $3 billion investment, expected to accommodate over 14,000 employees and set a new benchmark for premium office space.
- Montreal Innovation: The Champlain condo rental project in Montreal's Ville-Marie district was honored as the Commercial Development of the Year, transforming the former Odeon Champlain cinema site into a mixed-use development with 226 units, achieving 65% occupancy shortly after launch and advancing transit-oriented density goals.
- Defense Manufacturing Investment: Anduril Industries' lease at 4611 Airbase Road in Columbus, Ohio was awarded Lease of the Year, expected to create over 4,000 direct jobs, marking the largest job-creation project in Ohio's history and significantly boosting local economic growth and tax revenues.
See More
Nomura Focused Large Growth ETF Sees Unusual Trading Volume Surge
- Volume Surge: The Nomura Focused Large Growth ETF experienced an unusual trading volume of over 699,000 shares on Monday afternoon, significantly exceeding the three-month average of approximately 69,000 shares, indicating heightened market interest in the ETF.
- Key Component Performance: Among the ETF's components, Nvidia traded over 100.9 million shares, rising about 1.4%, while Amazon saw over 22.7 million shares traded with a price increase of approximately 2.8%, reflecting strong investor interest in tech stocks.
- Ferrari's Strong Performance: Ferrari stood out on Monday with a price increase of about 4.2%, showcasing its robust market performance and investor confidence.
- Costar Group Lagging: In contrast, Costar Group underperformed with a decline of about 1.3%, potentially reflecting market concerns regarding its future growth prospects.
See More
Visual Lease Recognized as 2026 Influencer in CRE Technology
- Industry Recognition: Visual Lease has been honored as a 2026 Influencer in CRE Technology by GlobeSt, highlighting its leadership in driving innovation within commercial real estate technology and reinforcing its status as an industry pioneer.
- Data Integration Advantage: By centralizing lease data and applying advanced analytics, Visual Lease enables finance and real estate leaders to gain real-time visibility into lease obligations, costs, and risks, thereby enhancing decision-making efficiency and reducing potential risks.
- Market Impact: The platform is trusted by over 1,500 organizations managing more than 1 million leased asset records globally, demonstrating its widespread adoption and credibility, while supporting enterprises in achieving sustainability goals.
- Strategic Vision: Visual Lease aims to empower finance and real estate leaders with accurate centralized lease data to support their strategic objectives, a mission that is increasingly vital as the commercial real estate landscape continues to evolve.
See More
U.S. Apartment Rent Growth Trends Analysis
- Rent Growth Overview: In March 2026, U.S. apartment rents increased to an average of $1,723, marking a 0.2% rise from February's $1,719, representing the fourth consecutive month of positive growth, indicating a gradual recovery after a flat to declining trend in the latter half of 2025.
- Regional Performance Disparities: While all five regions posted month-over-month increases, with the Midwest and Mountain regions leading at +0.3%, year-over-year growth was uneven, with the Midwest at +1.9% and declines in the South and Mountain regions at -1.3% and -2.2%, respectively, highlighting ongoing supply-demand imbalances.
- Market Dynamics Shift: Among the top 50 markets, 46 experienced month-over-month rent growth in March, led by San Francisco (+0.8%), Boston (+0.7%), and East Bay (+0.6%), while Oklahoma City and Northern New Jersey saw slight declines of -0.1%, reflecting intense market competition.
- Ongoing Supply Pressure: Despite many markets moving past peak construction activity, significant inventory overhang persists, particularly in Austin (-4.8% year-over-year) and Denver (-3.5%), indicating that new supply continues to outpace demand, thereby restraining further rent growth.
See More
Southbank East Sees Demand Recovery
- Demand Recovery: In Q4 2025, Southbank East recorded an annual net absorption exceeding 200,000 sq ft, marking the strongest quarterly performance in over a decade, indicating signs of market recovery after two years of declining demand.
- Vacancy Rate Shift: The submarket's vacancy rate hit a 12-year high of 11.5% at the beginning of 2025, significantly up from less than 2% in 2019, reflecting the impact of new space deliveries coinciding with a slowdown in leasing activity.
- Development Completions: Nearly 1 million sq ft of new space has been delivered in Southbank East since 2020, with this development volume being more than five times that of the preceding five-year period, although over 20% of this new space remains available, suggesting gradual market improvement.
- Leasing Market Dynamics: The vacancy rate for floorplates larger than 15,000 sq ft stands at just 8.3%, lower than the London-wide rate of over 12%, indicating that tenants seeking larger spaces may face limited options, potentially impacting future leasing decisions.
See More
Single Women Outpace Men in Homebuying Trends
- Income Disparity Reversal: According to the National Association of Realtors, first-time single women homebuyers have a median income of $73,000, surpassing single men's $66,400, marking a potential shift in long-term homebuying trends favoring women.
- Rising Homebuyer Proportion: Single women account for 25% of first-time homebuyers compared to 10% for single men, a significant increase from 11% and 9% in 1985, indicating a growing recognition of homeownership as a wealth-building tool among women.
- Mismatch of Home Prices and Income: From 2000 to 2024, median household income rose by approximately 155%, while home prices surged by about 207%, creating substantial challenges for single buyers, particularly women relying on a single income to qualify for mortgages.
- Financial Sacrifices for Goals: Among single women buyers, 41% reported making financial sacrifices to save for a down payment, compared to 31% of men, highlighting women's commitment to achieving homeownership and financial independence despite economic hurdles.
See More
2026 CoStar Impact Awards Winners Announced
- Expert Selection: A panel of 570 industry experts across 129 global markets selected the winners of the 2026 CoStar Impact Awards, highlighting exemplary achievements in commercial real estate that elevate industry standards and market vitality.
- Outstanding Development: JPMorgan Chase's new headquarters at 270 Park Ave in New York City was recognized as the Commercial Development of the Year, with a 60-story, 2.5 million-square-foot skyscraper representing a $3 billion investment, expected to accommodate over 14,000 employees and set a new benchmark for premium office space.
- Montreal Innovation: The Champlain condo rental project in Montreal's Ville-Marie district was honored as the Commercial Development of the Year, transforming the former Odeon Champlain cinema site into a mixed-use development with 226 units, achieving 65% occupancy shortly after launch and advancing transit-oriented density goals.
- Defense Manufacturing Investment: Anduril Industries' lease at 4611 Airbase Road in Columbus, Ohio was awarded Lease of the Year, expected to create over 4,000 direct jobs, marking the largest job-creation project in Ohio's history and significantly boosting local economic growth and tax revenues.
See More
Nomura Focused Large Growth ETF Sees Unusual Trading Volume Surge
- Volume Surge: The Nomura Focused Large Growth ETF experienced an unusual trading volume of over 699,000 shares on Monday afternoon, significantly exceeding the three-month average of approximately 69,000 shares, indicating heightened market interest in the ETF.
- Key Component Performance: Among the ETF's components, Nvidia traded over 100.9 million shares, rising about 1.4%, while Amazon saw over 22.7 million shares traded with a price increase of approximately 2.8%, reflecting strong investor interest in tech stocks.
- Ferrari's Strong Performance: Ferrari stood out on Monday with a price increase of about 4.2%, showcasing its robust market performance and investor confidence.
- Costar Group Lagging: In contrast, Costar Group underperformed with a decline of about 1.3%, potentially reflecting market concerns regarding its future growth prospects.
See More
Visual Lease Recognized as 2026 Influencer in CRE Technology
- Industry Recognition: Visual Lease has been honored as a 2026 Influencer in CRE Technology by GlobeSt, highlighting its leadership in driving innovation within commercial real estate technology and reinforcing its status as an industry pioneer.
- Data Integration Advantage: By centralizing lease data and applying advanced analytics, Visual Lease enables finance and real estate leaders to gain real-time visibility into lease obligations, costs, and risks, thereby enhancing decision-making efficiency and reducing potential risks.
- Market Impact: The platform is trusted by over 1,500 organizations managing more than 1 million leased asset records globally, demonstrating its widespread adoption and credibility, while supporting enterprises in achieving sustainability goals.
- Strategic Vision: Visual Lease aims to empower finance and real estate leaders with accurate centralized lease data to support their strategic objectives, a mission that is increasingly vital as the commercial real estate landscape continues to evolve.
See More
