Mar 16, 2026

5 Big Cities Where Finding an Apartment Could Be Even Harder in 2026

Written by Dawn Allcot

Edited by Levi Leidy

DISCOVER Aerial panorama of Miami at dusk

Price increases for consumer goods and fuel slowed in the final months of 2025, according to Consumer Price Index (CPI) reports. But Americans still struggled in one critical area: the availability of apartment rentals in major cities.

RentCafe's year-end rental competitiveness report revealed an overall competitiveness index of 75.2, higher than 2024's rental competitive index (RCI) of 74.4. In more than 80% of the markets analyzed, it became increasingly difficult to find an apartment last year, and it may not get any easier in 2026. By early summer, the number of renters vying for each available unit could rise to 11, according to the report, which would be the highest in recent years.

Here are the cities that had especially high competitive indexes in 2025, with the scramble for apartments expected to continue through 2026.

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Miami

When working from home became the norm in 2020, Wall Street titans and Silicon Valley tech pros, among others, fled South for warmer weather, beachfront property and better affordability.

Now dubbed "Silicon Beach," Miami is the toughest city to rent an apartment, with the average vacancy lasting just 33 days and a lease renewal rate of 72.5%. The new unit ratio of 4.22% can't keep up with demand.

Chicago

Similarly, tech- and finance-focused professionals are now fleeing to the Midwest for better affordability. Chicago delivers big-city vibes, colleges and job opportunities at a lower cost than New York City or the Bay Area. But Chicago apartments are leasing in just 32 days, faster than any other major metro area.

Chicago also saw a big jump in apartment scarcity between 2024 and 2025, ranking third in trending rental markets behind the suburban Twin Cities and San Francisco.

Suburban Chicago

Those who can't find -- or can't afford -- an apartment in a major city often opt for nearby suburbs, leading to urban sprawl. The Chicago suburbs of Naperville, Evanston, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect are attracting renters, creating an occupancy rate of 95.5%.

Manhattan

Manhattan ranks fourth on the list of toughest cities for renters. It has been notoriously difficult to find an affordable apartment in New York City for decades; return-to-work initiatives made it even more challenging in 2025. But there's some good news for New York City renters. While Manhattan has a competitive score of 84.5, up from 78.9 in 2024, Brooklyn and Queens remain less competitive, largely due to new builds. Apartments there are staying vacant an average of 40 and 47 days, respectively. Both boroughs are just a subway ride away from Manhattan.

Milwaukee

Testament to the growth of Midwest cities, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, rounds out the list of top five cities it may be hard to find an apartment in 2026, with vacancies filling in 38 days. Thirteen prospective renters compete for every space, and the 1.63% new building rate can't keep up.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Dawn Allcot

Edited by

Levi Leidy