In the past five years, there’s been a surge in Americans renting versus owning homes.
In the top 20 single-family rental markets, it remains cheaper to rent than to own, when comparing monthly rent to the monthly mortgage payment and maintenance costs for a comparable starter home.
But not all apartments are created equal—and in some of the hottest places to live, the bang just isn’t worth the buck.
The hottest markets have the smallest apartments
Some of the cities with the biggest buzz have the tiniest rentals.
In Seattle, the average rental is just 649 square feet—which is 57 square feet smaller than it was 10 years ago, according to RentCafe. The average rent in the Emerald City is $1,960 a month, according to Realtor.com® data.
Meanwhile, in Portland, OR, the average-sized rental unit is 668 square feet—which is 79 square feet smaller than it was a decade ago, with a median rent of $1,658 a month.
Then, in Washington, DC, the average rental is just 745 square feet—which is 54 square feet smaller than it was 10 years ago, with an average rent of $2,291 a month.
So you’ll be enjoying that big-city life, but you sure will be paying for it—and getting far less!
Many people migrated South hoping for more space—but the region didn’t always deliver. Nashville, TN, in particular, has seen significant growth in the past five years, with the city and its suburbs surging past 2 million people during the COVID-19 pandemic alone.
But Nashville’s new apartments are among the smallest in the South, according to RentCafe. The average rental there is just 834 square feet (which is 2% smaller than the previous decade), and the median rent is $1,525 a month.
Big cities are upping their sizes to match the prices
Shockingly, in bigger cities like New York City and San Francisco, there’s an overall trend of apartments getting larger over the past decade—though still far smaller than in Nashville.
In Queens, for instance, the average rental is 702 square feet—which is 39 square feet bigger than it was 10 years ago. The average rent is $3,298 a month, according to Realtor.com data.
In Brooklyn, the average rental is 708 square feet—which is 6 square feet bigger than it was 10 years ago. The average rent is $3,748 a month.
In San Francisco, the average rental is 716 square feet—which is 59 square feet bigger than it was 10 years ago. The average rent is $2,702 a month.
And in Manhattan, the average rental is 738 square feet—which is 4 square feet bigger than it was 10 years ago. The average rent is $4,495 a month.
Top cities with the biggest apartments
RentCafe reports that the average apartment size in the U.S. increased in 2024, reaching 908 square feet, as most unit types expanded their living spaces.
But if you’re looking to settle down somewhere with the largest rentals on average, prepare to move South:
Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee ranks first among the 100 cities RentCafe analyzed, with an average of 1,130 square feet for new units completed in the past 10 years. The median rent is $1,727 a month.
Tallahassee is home to Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. The rental properties in this area offer spacious accommodations, which is especially appealing to students and professionals attracted by the city’s vibrant university life.
Gainesville, FL
Gainesville‘s average rental is 1,122 square feet for new units completed in the past 10 years. The median rent is $1,771 a month.
The extra space makes renting in Gainesville more attractive, appealing to both University of Florida students and locals seeking a comfortable yet affordable living option
Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge‘s average-sized rental is 1,055 square feet for new units completed in the past 10 years. The median rent is $1,238 a month.
The vibrant campus life of Louisiana State University, diverse cultural attractions, and Southern charm attract residents to this bustling city.
Knoxville, TN
In Knoxville, 180 miles from Nashville, the average apartment size for new units completed in the past decade reached 1,041 square feet. The median rent is $1,719 a month.
People are drawn to this Southern city because of its lower cost of living, outdoor recreation activities, and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Marietta, GA
Rentals in Marietta average 1,041 square feet, which is 100 square feet bigger than apartments built before 2015. The median rent is $1,719 a month.
Renters are attracted to Marietta’s close proximity to Atlanta, plus its strong job market and good schools.
How to find the best apartment for you
When you’re on the hunt for your dream apartment, Realtor.com will help simplify your search.
You can filter by price range, type of rental (home versus apartment), and other features like whether it’s pet-friendly or not.
Realtor.com can also connect you with a local real estate agent to assist in your search. Agents and brokers have access to listings of rentals you’ll never find by yourself, and they can help narrow down the field of possibilities, saving you time and money in the long run.
