Multifamily asking rents rose for the second straight month in April, according to the new National Multifamily Report from Yardi Matrix.
Despite economic headwinds, the market continues to demonstrate resilience. The average U.S. asking rent rose $5 in April to $1,709, while year-over-year growth decelerated to 3.2%, down 80 basis points from March.
Solid demand has kept rents rising, but at a slower rate than previous years. Demand is buoyed by a tight job market and healthy household budgets, although economists are scrutinizing how much longer those conditions will persist. A recession is still forecast for later this year.
“Rent growth is broadly positive nationally, but regional differences are emerging. High-demand Sun Belt metros are feeling the impact of reduced affordability and robust deliveries, while primary metros have less supply growth and some benefit from rebounding immigration,” states the new report.
Multifamily rent gains remain positive year-over-year everywhere but Phoenix and Las Vegas, but the top-performing markets are different each month. In April, Indianapolis (7.7%) and Kansas City (6.4%) led the top 30 Matrix metros in rent growth, while primary metros New York, Boston and Chicago round out the top five.
Single-family unit rents also hit a new all-time high in April, averaging $2,089, but year-over-year rates once again decelerated, dropping 60 basis points to 2.3%. Occupancy rates decreased in March to 95.5% but have stabilized after peaking at 97% in 2021.
Download the April 2023 National Multifamily Report from Yardi Matrix.
