CoStar Group Inc.'s Apartments.com has released its latest multifamily rent growth report for January 2026, highlighting continued positive momentum in the U.S. apartment market. The national average rent rose to $1,713, marking a 0.2% increase from December 2025. This growth follows a period of flat or declining rents, signaling a recovery across the sector. Annual rent growth eased to 0.6%, down from 0.7% in December and 1.5% in January 2025, as a substantial but easing inventory overhang continues to weigh on the market. Rent increases were recorded across all four U.S. regions, with the Midwest leading monthly gains and also topping annual growth at 2.1%. The Northeast saw a 1.4% annual rise, while the South and West posted declines of 0.2% and 1.5%, respectively. At the metro level, 42 of the top 50 markets experienced rent increases, with San Francisco, Norfolk, and San Jose leading monthly growth. San Francisco also posted the highest annual rent increase at 6.3%, while markets with significant new construction, such as Austin, Denver, and Phoenix, saw the steepest annual declines. The report underscores that oversupply and softening demand are restraining rent growth in several Sun Belt and Mountain West cities, while supply-constrained and select coastal areas continue to outperform.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. CoStar Group Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 20260209182468) on February 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.