U.S. Rental Market Vacancy Rates Reach Record High in 2026

As of January 2026, my take is that the US rental market is definitely seeing more available apartments than we have in a few years, and it’s largely because a lot of new buildings have come online while the demand from renters has cooled down a bit. We're now looking at a national rental vacancy rate that has climbed to 7.3%. This isn't just a blip; it's a continuation of a trend we saw throughout 2025. It’s a big deal because it means things are shifting, and renters might find they have a little more power and choice today than they did just a year or two ago.

U.S. Rental Market Vacancy Rates Reach Record High in 2026

It feels like just yesterday we were talking about how hard it was to find any place to rent, with super low vacancy rates. Now, the story is quite different, at least on a national level. This increase in empty apartments is directly impacting how much landlords are charging, leading to the sixth month in a row of national rent declines. It’s a significant shift, and understanding these vacancy rates is key, whether you're a renter looking for a deal, an investor trying to make smart decisions, or just someone trying to grasp what's happening in our economy.

The Big Picture: More Homes, Less Urgency

The primary driver behind this rise in empty apartments is a substantial increase in new housing supply. Developers have been busy, and now we're seeing the fruits of that labor across many parts of the country. The Census Bureau reported a national vacancy rate of 7.1% in the third quarter of 2025, and now, as we kick off 2026, Apartment List is reporting an even higher 7.3% for their national index.

What’s really interesting is that when we look at the broader apartment sector, not just the specific index I mentioned, some reports suggest the vacancy rate might be even higher. Apartments.com, for instance, points to a 8.5% vacancy rate for the general apartment market at the end of last year. This discrepancy highlights that different data sources and methodologies can give us slightly different views, but the overall trend is clear: more units are sitting empty.

Luxury Units Taking the Biggest Hit

It’s not uniformly spread, though. My experience tells me that when the market shifts, it often hits the higher end first. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing. The most noticeable vacancies are in luxury buildings. Some of these high-end properties are reporting vacancy rates as high as 11.1%. This makes sense because the number of people who can afford these pricier units often doesn't keep pace with the sheer volume of new, upscale construction being built. It’s a classic supply and demand situation, but with a price tag attached.

How This Affects Your Rent Check

So, what does this mean for your wallet? Simply put, more empty apartments usually means landlords have to get a bit more competitive with their pricing. We've already seen this happen for six straight months, with national rents trending downwards. As of January 2026, the national median rent has dipped to $1,353. That might not sound like a huge drop, but a 1.4% decrease year-over-year is a noticeable shift from the rent hikes we've become accustomed to. For renters, this could mean more negotiating power or at least finding a place that’s a little more affordable than it was just a year ago.

Regional Differences: Not All Markets Are the Same

But here's where it gets crucial and why I always emphasize looking beyond just national averages: The US rental market is not monolithic. There’s a really clear split happening right now.

Markets with High Vacancy Rates (Renter's Market!)

Certain areas, especially those in the Sun Belt and some booming tech hubs that saw a massive construction boom, are feeling the pinch of oversupply.

• Austin, Texas, is a prime example. It’s been a poster child for high vacancy due to a huge influx of new apartments. Rents there have actually fallen by 6.3% compared to last year.
• Atlanta, Georgia, is also facing significant vacancy, with some reports putting it around 14%. That’s a lot of empty space and definitely makes it a renter-friendly city.
• San Antonio, Texas, shows high vacancy too, sitting at around 10.0% among the busiest cities in the country.
• South Carolina is actually leading the nation in vacancies statewide with 10.6%, largely due to a surge in new building projects.
• South Dakota also topped some recent lists for overall high vacancy as of late 2025.
• Denver, Colorado, has hit some concerning levels, reaching a 16-year high in its vacancy rate at 7.6%.

Markets with Low Vacancy Rates (Landlord's Market!)

On the flip side, several regions are still experiencing tight rental markets, meaning it’s harder to find a place, and rents might even be climbing. These are often places that haven’t seen the same level of new construction or have consistent, strong demand.

• The Northeast and Midwest are generally tighter.
• New Hampshire is often cited as having one of the lowest vacancy rates in the entire country, a very low 1.9%.
• Massachusetts and New Jersey consistently show up as some of the most competitive markets, with vacancy rates often staying below 3%.
• Virginia Beach, Virginia, is another area where things remain tight, and rents are still seeing some growth despite the national dip.
• Grand Rapids, Michigan, is actually recognized as one of the tightest rental markets nationally, with occupancy rates so high they're essentially exceeding 99%.
• Bridgeport, Connecticut, also boasts one of the lowest vacancy rates among major cities at just 1.8%.
• Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, are holding steady with low vacancy rates between 4.5% and 4.7%, keeping competition high.

State-Level Snapshot: A Tale of Two Coasts (and Everything In Between)

Looking at states gives us an even clearer picture of these regional divides.

City-Level Insights: What's Building Matters

The amount of new housing built in the last couple of years is a huge factor when looking at city-level vacancy rates in 2026.

The “Softest” Cities (Lots of Vacancies)

• Austin, TX: As mentioned, a supply surge means high vacancies and falling rents (-6.3% YoY).
• Atlanta, GA: Around 14% vacancy, making it very favorable for renters.
• San Antonio, TX: One of the highest vacancy rates among major cities, at 10.0%.

The “Toughest” Cities (Hard to Find a Place)

• Grand Rapids, MI: Occupancy rates are practically maxed out (>99%).
• Bridgeport, CT: Very low vacancy at 1.8%.
• Portland, OR & Minneapolis, MN: Vacancy hovering between 4.5% and 4.7%, meaning competition is stiff.

Investment Angle: Navigating the Shift

From an investor's perspective, this “supply shock” from previous years is really changing things. It’s creating opportunities, but you have to be smart about where and how you invest.

Top Markets for Investors in 2026

It really depends on what you’re after:

• For High Cash Flow (Yields >8%):
  • Cleveland, OH: Offers some of the highest rental yields (up to 16.6%) with lower buying prices.
  • Indianapolis, IN: A stable market with a 9.1% yield and a relatively low vacancy rate of 4.9%.
  • Buffalo, NY: Seen as a “hot” market with 8.2% yields, attracting people priced out of bigger Northeast cities.
  • Detroit, MI: Can give really great cash returns, with some areas seeing yields over 20%.
• For Long-Term Appreciation (Growth Markets):
  • Austin, TX: Despite the current supply glut, it's still a tech hub. Investors are looking at specific types of properties in good areas.
  • Durham, NC: Benefiting from the Research Triangle, it has a tight 4.2% vacancy and steady price increases.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth, TX: Continues to attract people, which means good long-term demand for rentals.

Smart Investment Strategies for Today

• The Sun Belt Rebound: Some of those Sun Belt cities that had high vacancies last year are expected to see that ease up as new construction slows down.
• Targeting Seniors: With a growing population of older renters, housing designed for them is becoming more appealing.
• Single-Family Homes: These often have tenants who stay longer (3-5 years) compared to apartment renters, offering more stability.
• Professional Management: With more complex rules and rising costs for upkeep, many investors are leaning on professional property managers.

Key Numbers to Watch for Investors

When I'm looking at potential investments, I'm always checking these numbers:

Overall, the US rental market is in a fascinating transition phase in early 2026. The days of universally rock-bottom vacancy rates seem to be behind us for now, at least nationally, but the pockets of high and low vacancy are creating distinct opportunities and challenges across different regions and property types.