Graph and download economic data for Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States (RRVRUSQ156N) from Q1 1956 to Q4 2024 about vacancy, rent, rate, and USA.

Rental vacancy rates across the United States showed significant regional differences in 2023, with the South experiencing the highest rate at 8.7 percent. This disparity reflects broader demographic shifts and economic factors influencing the rental market. The regional variations in vacancy rates have persisted despite an overall decline since 2014, highlighting the complex dynamics of the U.S. housing landscape. Rental demand and affordability challenges The rental market continues to face pressure from high demand, particularly among younger demographics. People under 30 comprise the largest share of American renters, with approximately 42 million in this age group. Despite softening rents in some areas, affordability remains a significant issue. In 2023, 42.5 percent of renters paid gross rent exceeding 35 percent of their income, indicating widespread financial strain among tenants. Regional disparities and market trends The Northeast and West regions, which include many large urban areas, have consistently lower vacancy rates compared to the Midwest and South. This trend aligns with population shifts towards these regions, fueling higher home prices growth. The rental market has shown signs of stabilization in 2023, with the number of vacant homes for rent slightly picking up after two years of record-low vacancy.

Graph and download economic data for Rental Vacancy Rate for the United States from 1986 to 2024 about vacancy, rent, rate, and USA.

South Dakota was the U.S. state with the highest vacancy rate index in January 2025. Conversely, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois had the lowest vacancy rate index during that period. All three states had an index value of under five percent. Overall, apartment vacancies in the U.S. have increased since 2021, due to the increase in new supply.

Graph and download economic data for Rental Vacancy Rate for California (CARVAC) from 1986 to 2024 about vacancy, rent, CA, rate, and USA.

Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States was 6.90% in October of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States reached a record high of 11.10 in July of 2009 and a record low of 5.00 in January of 1978. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Rental Vacancy Rate for New Jersey (NJRVAC) from 1986 to 2024 about vacancy, NJ, rent, rate, and USA.

United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental data was reported at 6.800 % in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.000 % for Mar 2018. United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental data is updated quarterly, averaging 7.400 % from Mar 1956 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 250 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.100 % in Sep 2009 and a record low of 5.000 % in Dec 1981. United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.EB008: Housing Vacancy and Home Ownership Rate.

The vacancy rate for rental apartments in the United States fell to about 3.8 percent in October 2021, followed by a steady increase until 2025. In January that year, the vacancy index stood at 6.85 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Rental Vacancy Rate for West Virginia (WVRVAC) from 1986 to 2024 about vacancy, WV, rent, rate, and USA.

The number of vacant homes for rent in the United States increased for the third year in a row in 2024, after reaching a record low in 2021. In the third quarter of 2024, there were approximately 6.9 million unoccupied housing units for rent.

In 2023, the average vacancy rate index for rental apartments in different metros in Texas ranged between 6.6 percent and 9.1 percent. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, the most populated metropolitan area, had a vacancy rate index of 7.6 percent in December 2023. Meanwhile, Killeen-Temple was the metro with the lowest index, at 6.59. According to the source, the index is calculated based on data on apartments listed on the Apartment List platform and changes in availability.

In 2023, the rental market in Canada saw the lowest vacancy rate for rental apartments during the observed period. Approximately 1.5 percent of apartments were unoccupied in 2023, down from 1.9 percent the year below. Saskatchewan was the province with the highest vacancy rate, whereas Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia had the lowest share of unoccupied apartments.

Rental Vacancy Rate for Massachusetts was 3.20% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Rental Vacancy Rate for Massachusetts reached a record high of 8.80 in January of 1992 and a record low of 2.50 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Rental Vacancy Rate for Massachusetts - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

In December 2024, the Australian city of Melbourne had a rental property vacancy rate of 2.2 percent. In contrast, the rental property vacancy rate in Hobart was estimated at 0.6 percent in the same month.

Graph and download economic data for Rental Vacancy Rate for Florida (FLRVAC) from 1986 to 2024 about vacancy, rent, FL, rate, and USA.

The rental vacancy rate of apartments in Nova Scotia in Canada increased slightly in 2023. Approximately 1.1 percent of the rental apartment in that year were vacant. The average vacancy rate in Canada, on the other hand was slightly higher.

In February 2025, the Australian city of Melbourne had a residential rental property vacancy rate of around 1.8 percent. The February residential rental property vacancy rate in Melbourne reached a high of 5.3 percent in 2021.

The New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS) is a citywide survey designed to be representative of the NYC housing stock and community-dwelling population that is conducted about every three years by the City of New York. The NYCHVS has been conducted since 1965 and is the longest running housing survey in the country. The survey is mandated by New York State and New York City laws to measure the net rental vacancy rate and describe the supply, condition, and continued need for rent control and rent stabilization which covers half of the city's rental housing, or about 1 million apartments and 2.5 million tenants. Detailed data from the survey cover many characteristics of the New York City housing market, including characteristics of the City's population, household, housing stock, and neighborhoods. Other data include, but is not limited to, rent regulatory and home ownership status; structural conditions; unit maintenance and neighborhood conditions; crowding, rents, utility costs, type of heating fuel, rent/income ratios; owner purchase price and estimated value, mortgage status and interest rate; number of stories and units in building, cooperative/condominium status, and wheelchair accessibility. The data in this collection are organized by occupied units, vacant units, non-interviews, individual person records, and all housing units. Person records for each individual in occupied housing units regardless of age were added beginning in 1991. Non-interview units data are available for 1978 to 2008. Starting in 2021, datasets for all housing units were added.

United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental: Outside Metropolitan Areas data was reported at 9.200 % in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.000 % for Mar 2018. United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental: Outside Metropolitan Areas data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.300 % from Mar 1956 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 248 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.000 % in Mar 2004 and a record low of 4.000 % in Sep 1978. United States Housing Vacancy Rate: Rental: Outside Metropolitan Areas data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.EB008: Housing Vacancy and Home Ownership Rate.