Story perspectives

Income Outpaces Slowest Rent Gains, Austin Prices Drop

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Income growth in March outpaced rent increases, giving many renters additional financial flexibility.
Zillow reported the typical U.S. rent was $1,910 in March, a 1.8% year-over-year rise—the slowest since December 2020—while single-family rents rose 2.5% annually, the smallest gain since 2015, and multifamily rents rose 1.3% with the median household spending 26.5% of income on rent.
Rents fell in Austin (-2.3%) and in Tampa and San Antonio (-1.6% each).

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Story summary

Income growth in March outpaced rent increases, giving many renters additional financial flexibility.
Zillow reported the typical U.S. rent was $1,910 in March, a 1.8% year-over-year rise—the slowest since December 2020—while single-family rents rose 2.5% annually, the smallest gain since 2015, and multifamily rents rose 1.3% with the median household spending 26.5% of income on rent.
Rents fell in Austin (-2.3%) and in Tampa and San Antonio (-1.6% each).