Renting is now dramatically cheaper than buying in many U.S. metros — and the gap is not limited to high-cost coastal cities. From California to the Sun Belt, the rent-vs-buy math is reshaping apartment demand, single-family rental demand, resident renewals, and the future of multifamily operations.
Top Apartment Rent Growth Markets in 2026: What the May RealPage Leaders Reveal About Multifamily Demand
Apartment rent growth is no longer spreading evenly across the country. RealPage’s May 2026 rent growth leaders show a sharply divided multifamily market where tech hubs, supply-constrained metros, and select Midwest markets are outperforming high-supply Sun Belt competitors. For apartment owners and property managers, the message is clear: when rents rise, resident expectations rise with them.
Gen Z Is Still Moving — Is Your Apartment Community Ready for the Next Renter Migration Wave?
Moving has slowed across the U.S., but not equally. Gen Z renters are still relocating toward markets like Denver, Minneapolis, Austin, Raleigh, Richmond, Seattle, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. For apartment owners and property managers, that creates a powerful opportunity: communities that deliver convenience, cleanliness, compliance, and frictionless resident services will be better positioned to win the next wave of renters.


