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Rent Prices Hit Record High Across the Country
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Rent Prices Hit Record High Across the Country

Irvine CA – Leading global property information, analytics, and data solutions company CoreLogic recently released its latest rent prices report.

Annual Rent Prices Hit Record Growth in March 2022

CoreLogic’s Single-Family Rent Index (SFRI) analyzes the movement of rent prices for single-family homes throughout major metro areas and the entire US of A. Based on its report, the company found that rent rates in March 2022 hit a record year-over-year growth rate of 13.6%.

The rapid growth of property prices and lack of affordable housing inventory are seen as the main culprits for such record numbers. And just like it was in recent months, the warmer regions generally recorded the highest rental cost growth, specifically Miami and Orlando. The growth rates in rent prices in the two markets were found to be two to three times the national rate. 

Danielle Hale, the chief economist for Realtor.com, confirms that the surge in rental prices is caused by the mismatch between rising demand and rental supply. And because of the shortage of national housing inventory, would-be homebuyers are left with no other choice but to rent properties. Hale said, “Renters are being left with few options but to meet higher rents and, in some cases, even offer above [the landlord’s] asking price — whether they can afford to or not.

However, there are telltale signs that rent prices are starting to cool down. April 2022 marks the third month that rental rate growth slowed down since hitting its peak in January. And while the annual rate slightly dropped in March with a 17% year-over-year growth, April’s increase was very significant. We saw the national median rent price go up to $1,827 a month, up by 16.7% from last year.

At the rate that things are going, most industry experts and analysts predict for the national median to hit $2,000 a month by August 2022. 

Hale also said that rent is the biggest financial strain on Americans today even though inflation is driving expenses up across the board. As a result, studio apartment rentals (the most affordable option) grew at faster rates than single-family homes. While most studio units were exchanged for properties with bigger spaces at the pandemic’s onset, they have now become very popular for practical reasons. 

Related: How to Buy a Studio Apartment for Sale to Rent Out

How Should Real Estate Investors Respond?

Given the current market conditions, real estate investors can take advantage of the growing need by turning to other housing options and converting them into rental properties. While single-family homes are still the most sought-after property types, they can start by looking for a townhouse complex or duplex for sale in a neighborhood of their choice. They can even look for condo units and start a studio apartment for rent business in their chosen location. 

As far as location is concerned, CoreLogic listed the top 20 markets that experienced the most year-over-year growth in single-family rent prices. Before investors start looking for income properties for sale in these markets, they should first know what the existing market conditions are like. 

On top of the monthly rental rates (this goes for both traditional and vacation rental properties), investors should also consider what each market can offer in terms of cash on cash return and cap rate. Since the following markets already score high on price to rent ratio, investors are somehow assured that the people living in and looking at such markets are most likely to just rent property instead of buying one. 

Mashvisor, a real estate website, maintains a large database that covers almost all markets in all 50 states. It’s been helping countless investors locate the right investment property by providing them with reliable information and accurate data, as well as investment tools to come up with near-perfect income projections. 

To learn more about how Mashvisor can help you find profitable investment properties, schedule a demo.

Here is how the top 20 real estate markets are performing according to Mashvisor’s latest data. Because high rental income does not automatically mean the profit will be high as well, we included the metrics for both traditional and Airbnb rentals. Kindly take note that the ranking for the list below reflects the ranking found on CoreLogic’s report based on rent price increase: 

1. Miami, FL

  • Median Property Price: $970,317
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $668
  • Days on Market: 116
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $3,751
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 2.09%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 2.13%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 22 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,962
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.75%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.80%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $275
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 47%
  • Walk Score: 61

2. Orlando, FL

  • Median Property Price: $449,831
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $269
  • Days on Market: 57
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $1,846
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 2.76%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 2.85%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 20 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $2,912
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 3.41%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 3.51%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $118
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 57%
  • Walk Score: 42

3. Phoenix, AZ

  • Median Property Price: $648,439
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $372
  • Days on Market: 29
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $1,973
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.94%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.98%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 27 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $4,096
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 4.38%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 4.46%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $217
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 64%
  • Walk Score: 28

4. Las Vegas, NV

  • Median Property Price: $611,929
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $383
  • Days on Market: 63
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $1,690
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.51%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.55%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 30 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,340
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 3.53%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 3.62%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $210
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 60%
  • Walk Score: 36

5. San Diego, CA

  • Median Property Price: $1,072,138
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $802
  • Days on Market: 40
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,895
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.34%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.36%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 31 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $4,348
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 2.14%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 2.16%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $220
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 60%
  • Walk Score: 55

6. Austin, TX

  • Median Property Price: $1,001,757
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $576
  • Days on Market: 48
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,319
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 0.51%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 0.53%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 36 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $4,679
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 2.51%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 2.55%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $258
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 54%
  • Walk Score: 50

7. Dallas, TX

  • Median Property Price: $657,790
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $318
  • Days on Market: 109
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,376
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.38%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.42%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 23 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,150
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.73%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.78%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $151
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 51%
  • Walk Score: 46

Related: Airbnb Dallas: Why & Where to Invest in 2022

8. Boston, MA

  • Median Property Price: $1,063,363
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $1,012
  • Days on Market: 71
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,592
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.06%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.08%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 34 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,880
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.71%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.74%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $197
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 62%
  • Walk Score: 84

9. Atlanta, GA

  • Median Property Price: $606,225
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $420
  • Days on Market: 66
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,384
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 2.45%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 2.51%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 21 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $2,052
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 0.71%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 0.74%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $141
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 40%
  • Walk Score: 43

10. Tucson, AZ

  • Median Property Price: $470,627
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $297
  • Days on Market: 48
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $1,438
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.99%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 2.04%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 27 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,103
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 4.82%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 4.94%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $121
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 68%
  • Walk Score: 42

11. Seattle, WA

  • Median Property Price: $668,391
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $607
  • Days on Market: 43
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,160
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.78%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.81%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 26 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,320
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 2.74%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 2.79%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $160
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 66%
  • Walk Score: 66

The Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metropolitan area recorded a double-digit single-family year-over-year rent change in March 2022.

12. Charlotte, NC

  • Median Property Price: $555,972
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $321
  • Days on Market: 85
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $1,969
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.85%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.89%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 24 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $2,456
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.84%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.88%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $140
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 52%
  • Walk Score: 35

13. Chicago, IL

  • Median Property Price: $574,284
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $359
  • Days on Market: 52
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,380
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.15%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.19%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 20 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,086
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.24%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.28%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $206
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 51%
  • Walk Score: 65

14. Los Angeles, CA

  • Median Property Price: $1,416,111
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $1,277
  • Days on Market: 66
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $4,378
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.65%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.66%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 27 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $5,215
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.77%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.79%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $193
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 65%
  • Walk Score: 55

15. Houston, TX

  • Median Property Price: $602,877
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $331
  • Days on Market: 200
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,087
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.87%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.92%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 24 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $2,179
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 0.86%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 0.88%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $135
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 43%
  • Walk Score: 42

16. Philadelphia, PA

  • Median Property Price: $628,003
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $378
  • Days on Market: 90
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $1,916
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 2.64%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 2.73%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 27 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $2,691
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 3.28%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 3.39%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $138
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 53%
  • Walk Score: 63

17. Honolulu, HI

  • Median Property Price: $871,840
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $895
  • Days on Market: 88
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,266
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 2.40%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 2.44%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 32 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $4,315
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 4.80%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 4.89%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $165
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 71%
  • Walk Score: 46

18. New York, NY

  • Median Property Price: $1,369,759
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $1,478
  • Days on Market: 177
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $3,668
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.21%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.22%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 31 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $4,328
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.01%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.03%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $191
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 66%
  • Walk Score: 62

19. Washington, DC

  • Median Property Price: $741,953
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $617
  • Days on Market: 115
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $2,485
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.92%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.96%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 25 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $3,198
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 1.95%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 1.99%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $153
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 60%
  • Walk Score: 60

20. St. Louis, MO

  • Median Property Price: $375,939
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $180
  • Days on Market: 70
  • Monthly Traditional Rental Income: $1,369
  • Traditional Cash on Cash Return: 1.90%
  • Traditional Cap Rate: 1.97%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 23 (high)
  • Monthly Airbnb Rental Income: $2,492
  • Airbnb Cash on Cash Return: 4.15%
  • Airbnb Cap Rate: 4.30%
  • Airbnb Daily Rate: $110
  • Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 64%
  • Walk Score: 58

Related: Top 10 Rental Market Data Every Real Estate Investor Should Know & Understand

Wrapping It Up

With record-high rent prices nowadays, investors can help make a decent return on their investment and help meet the national housing demand by investing in rental properties. When looking for the right property, it is important to be able to access highly accurate market data and the best real estate investing tools. Fortunately for investors, Mashvisor is a one-stop real estate shop that provides both. 

To access Mashvisor’s real estate investment tools, click here to sign up for a 7-day free trial, followed by 15% off for life.

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Alfred Lauzon

Alfred is a content writer with years of experience writing about the US housing market. He has a natural inclination to the arts and creatives. One will often find him drawing, doing toy photography, or dabbling in other geeky stuff when he's not helping investors make smarter decisions.

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