U.S. Cities Where Rent Prices Are Increasing the Fastest

It’s old news that rent is out of control in this country, but exactly where is it rising the fastest? What parts of our country are already slipping away in terms of affordability?

To better understand where rent is rising the fastest in the U.S., Highland Cabinetry assembled a report based on data the company analyzed from Zillow, Numbeo, and the U.S. Census, as any self-respecting cabinetry company would. The report ranks 80 cities based on the rent growth rate, which compares rent increases between January 2024 and December 2024. The breakdown also includes other factors, including a cost-of-living score, median household income, income increases, and other key economic details about each city.

Here are the top 30 cities where rent costs are increasing the fastest, according to the report.

Note: The data source is live and may fluctuate.

1. Fresno, California

Population: 520,052

Median Household Income: $66,804

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,395

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,850

Rent Growth in 2024: 32.62%

2. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Population: 241,218

Median Household Income: $54,416

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,270

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,495

Rent Growth in 2024: 17.72%

3. Overland Park, Kansas

Population: 186,515

Median Household Income: $103,838

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,750

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,050

Rent Growth in 2024: 17.14%

4. Indianapolis

Population: 829,718

Median Household Income: $62,995

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,325

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,450

Rent Growth in 2024: 9.43%

5. Omaha, Nebraska

Population: 443,885

Median Household Income: $72,708

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,400

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,526

Rent Growth in 2024: 9.00%

6. Stockton, California

Population: 305,658

Median Household Income: $76,851

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,800

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,950

Rent Growth in 2024: 8.33%

7. Cincinnati

Population: 296,943

Median Household Income: $51,707

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,295

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,400

Rent Growth in 2024: 8.11%

8. Anaheim, California

Population: 353,400

Median Household Income: $90,583

Average Rent in January 2024: $2,500

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,700

Rent Growth in 2024: 8.00%

9. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Population: 559,121

Median Household Income: $65,604

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,500

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,616

Rent Growth in 2024: 7.73%

10. Pittsburgh

Population: 303,034

Median Household Income: $64,137

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,400

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,500

Rent Growth in 2024: 7.14%

11. Brownsville, Texas

Population: 183,887

Median Household Income: $46,735

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,400

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,500

Rent Growth in 2024: 7.14%

12. Louisville, Kentucky

Population: 622,981

Median Household Income: $64,731

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,250

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,338

Rent Growth in 2024: 7.04%

13. Lexington, Kentucky

Population: 314,488

Median Household Income: $66,087

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,495

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,600

Rent Growth in 2024: 7.02%

14. Tucson, Arizona

Population: 531,641

Median Household Income: $54,546

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,500

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,600

Rent Growth in 2024: 6.67%

15. Milwaukee

Population: 561,385

Median Household Income: $51,888

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,175

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,250

Rent Growth in 2024: 6.38%

16. Madison, Wisconsin

Population: 241,951

Median Household Income: $82,996

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,600

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,700

Rent Growth in 2024: 0.85%

17. Vancouver, Washington

Population: 172,860

Median Household Income: $73,626

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,845

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,960

Rent Growth in 2024: 4.99%

18. Portland, Oregon

Population: 632,309

Median Household Income: $88,792

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,695

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,795

Rent Growth in 2024: 5.90%

19. Reno, Nevada

Population: 241,445

Median Household Income: $78,448

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,6800

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,900

Rent Growth in 2024: 5.56%

20. Columbus, Ohio

Population: 850,106

Median Household Income: $65,327

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,419

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,495

Rent Growth in 2024: 5.36%

21. Knoxville, Tennessee

Population: 185,291

Median Household Income: $48,309

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,900

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,000

Rent Growth in 2024: 5.26%

22. Chesapeake, Virginia

Population: 235,429

Median Household Income: $94,189

Average Rent in January 2024: $2,000

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,100

Rent Growth in 2024: 5.00%

23. Worcester, Massachusetts

Population: 184,815

Median Household Income: $67,544

Average Rent in January 2024: $2,000

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,100

Rent Growth in 2024: 5.00%

24. Baltimore

Population: 565,239

Median Household Income: $59,623

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,500

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,575

Rent Growth in 2024: 5.00%

25. Providence, Rhode Island

Population: 179,207

Median Household Income: $66,772

Average Rent in January 2024: $2,100

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,200

Rent Growth in 2024: 4.76%

26. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Population: 452,745

Median Household Income: $87,544

Average Rent in January 2024: $2,100

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,195

Rent Growth in 2024: 4.52%

27. Seattle

Population: 684,451

Median Household Income: $116,068

Average Rent in January 2024: $2,018

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,097

Rent Growth in 2024: 1.72%

28. Tempe, Arizona

Population: 175,826

Median Household Income: $77,643

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,925

Average Rent in December 2024: $2,000

Rent Growth in 2024: 3.90%

29. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Population: 403,505

Median Household Income: $67,317

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,350

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,395

Rent Growth in 2024: 3.33%

30. Richmond, Virginia

Population: 220,289

Median Household Income: $59,066

Average Rent in January 2024: $1,545

Average Rent in December 2024: $1,595

Rent Growth in 2024: 3.24%