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lorida’s rental markets are now the nation’s fastest‑declining segment after years of rapid growth. In October 2025, the Cotality Single‑Family Rent Index recorded only a 0.9 % rise nationwide, a sharp drop from the 2.8 % increase seen a year earlier. The slowdown is widespread: 40 of the 50 largest metros posted weaker growth, and 18 cities experienced year‑over‑year declines—half of those in Florida, underscoring a correction in markets that had outpaced the country during the pandemic.

    Senior principal economist Molly Boesel notes that while rents have moderated, they still sit well above pre‑pandemic levels. “The peak was March 2022, and even after three years of easing, October’s national index remains 9 % above the 2022 average,” she says. “This is a normalization, not a reversal, as affordability and regional dynamics continue to shape the market.”

    Price pressure eased across all tiers, most noticeably at the lower end. High‑end single‑family rents grew 1.4 % YoY in October, down from 3.3 % in October 2024, while low‑end rents climbed only 0.4 % versus 2.7 % a year earlier. Detached homes rose 0.8 % YoY, attached units 1 %.

    Regional trends diverge. Florida metros such as Cape Coral and North Port have recorded two straight years of rent declines, reflecting a pullback after pandemic‑era surges. In contrast, parts of the Midwest remain resilient, buoyed by steadier demand and moderate price levels.

    Among the top ten metros, Chicago led with 4.6 % growth, followed by Washington, D.C., and Detroit at 2.4 %, Philadelphia at 2.2 %, and Los Angeles at 0.6 %. Dallas, however, saw a 1.3 % YoY drop.

    Overall, the data signal a cooling market that is not collapsing; rent growth is easing from historic highs, with affordability and local supply‑demand dynamics dictating where prices rise or retreat.