About US Rent Prices

Who We Are

US Rent Prices is an independent rent data website operated by a small team of data enthusiasts and housing researchers. We are not affiliated with any real estate company, property management firm, or government agency.

Our mission is simple: provide free, accurate, and easy-to-understand rent price data to help renters make informed decisions. We believe everyone deserves access to reliable housing market information without paywalls or hidden agendas.

Our Independence

We are editorially independent. While we may display advertisements to support our operations, our data presentation and analysis are never influenced by advertisers or third parties. We present government data as-is, with clear explanations of what it means.

Important Disclaimer

This website does not provide financial, real estate, or legal advice. The rent data presented represents Fair Market Rent (FMR) values published by HUD, which indicate area medians at the 40th percentile.

  • Actual rent prices vary significantly by specific property, neighborhood, amenities, and market conditions
  • FMR data is updated annually and may not reflect current market conditions
  • Always verify current pricing directly with landlords or property managers
  • Consult qualified professionals for financial, legal, or real estate decisions

Our Data Sources

We combine data from two authoritative sources to provide the most accurate picture of rental costs:

HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes Fair Market Rent data annually. FMRs represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard quality rental housing in each metropolitan area. This data is used for Section 8 housing voucher programs and other federal housing assistance.

Our 2025 data comes directly from HUD's official dataset, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI)

ZORI measures changes in asking rents over time while controlling for changes in the quality of rental housing. This provides insight into real-time market trends and complements government data with current market observations.

Editorial Methodology

We are committed to transparency in how we collect, process, and present rental data. Here is our methodology:

1. Data Collection

We download Fair Market Rent data directly from HUD's official portal (huduser.gov). This data is published annually, typically in the fall for the following fiscal year. We do not modify the underlying rent values.

2. Data Processing

Raw HUD data is organized by metro area and bedroom count. We map this data to city-level pages using official metropolitan statistical area (MSA) definitions. Where multiple counties comprise a metro area, we use the primary city name for user-friendliness while the data represents the entire metro.

3. Presentation

We present data with clear context about what Fair Market Rent means. We explicitly note that FMR represents the 40th percentile (not median or average) and that actual market rents may differ. All pages include data year and source attribution.

4. Updates

We update our database when HUD releases new FMR data annually. Our current data reflects 2025 Fair Market Rents. Historical trend data is preserved for year-over-year comparisons where available.

5. Editorial Content

Neighborhood descriptions, rental tips, and market analysis are written by our editorial team based on research and publicly available information. We aim to be helpful and accurate, but this content is informational only and not professional advice.

Our Commitment to Quality

  • Expert Review: All content is reviewed by our team of housing professionals
  • Data Accuracy: We use only authoritative sources (HUD, Zillow Research)
  • Regular Updates: Annual HUD data updates, monthly Zillow trend analysis
  • Editorial Independence: Our analysis is never influenced by affiliate relationships
  • Legal Accuracy: Tenant rights content reviewed by licensed attorney

What We Offer

Rent Price Data

Comprehensive rent data for 100 major metro areas, updated annually with HUD FMR data and monthly with Zillow trends.

Rental Guides

Expert-written guides covering budgeting, lease agreements, tenant rights, apartment hunting, and more.

Market Analysis

In-depth analysis of rental markets, neighborhood comparisons, and trends by our housing economists.

Contact Us

Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you. Contact our team for data inquiries, partnership opportunities, or to report any issues.