Rent is rising more slowly, easing strain on Americans

USA TODAY (March 29, 2018) – Apartment rent increases slowed further in the first quarter, a development that, combined with faster wage growth, is expected to ease financial stress for low- and middle-income households over the next couple of years.

Average rent for new leases rose 2.3% to $1,310 in the first three months of the year, according to RealPage, a real estate technology and analytics firm. That marks a decline from the fourth quarter’s 2.6% pace and the smallest yearly gain since the third quarter of 2010.

Rent increases have slowed steadily since peaking at 5.3% in the second half of 2015.

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