BOSTON–Rentometer has released its 2025 Mid-Year Single-Family Rentals Report, offering a comprehensive look at rental trends across more than 1,100 U.S. cities. With a refined methodology now focused on median asking rents for 3-bedroom single-family homes, the report provides a detailed snapshot of rent growth, affordability challenges, and shifting regional dynamics in the single-family rental (SFR) market.
National Rent Growth Rises Modestly
Across the country, the median rent for 3-bedroom single-family homes climbed to $2,135 in the first half of 2025, marking a 1.7% year-over-year increase. While rents are picking up again, the pace of growth remains below both inflation and recent wage gains—signaling a relatively balanced national market.
However, regional disparities tell a more nuanced story.
Northeast Leads in Regional Rent Growth
The Northeast posted the highest regional increase, with median asking rents rising 4.5% year-over-year. This trend was especially pronounced in Massachusetts, where two cities—Boston and Cambridge—stood out for their steep rent hikes and affordability gaps.
Boston: High Demand, Tight Supply Drive Double-Digit Rent Growth
Among large U.S. cities, Boston, MA recorded the highest annual rent growth, with the median asking rent for a 3-bedroom single-family home reaching $4,500 in the first half of 2025. That figure represents a 12.5% year-over-year increase and marks the second consecutive year that first-half rents have topped $4,000.
Rentometer attributes this surge partly to a growing share of larger, high-end listings. However, the city’s limited inventory of single-family rentals plays a more critical role. With few units on the market, the tight supply has made Boston’s rental market extremely sensitive to demand shifts—resulting in steep rent escalations.
To comfortably afford a rental at that price—using the 30% income-to-rent guideline—a household would need to earn at least $180,000 annually, far above Boston’s estimated median income.
Cambridge: Most Expensive Mid-Sized Market in the U.S.
Just across the Charles River, Cambridge, MA has earned the title of most expensive mid-sized U.S. city for single-family home rentals. The median rent for a 3-bedroom home there reached an eye-popping $6,000 in early 2025—surpassing even California’s highest-priced markets.
Based on the same 30% affordability rule, a household would need to earn roughly $240,000 per year to rent in Cambridge without being rent-burdened. That’s nearly double the city’s median household income, underscoring a growing gap between local earnings and housing costs.
Rentometer’s latest report highlights the growing affordability strain in select high-demand cities, even as national rent growth moderates. The full report includes in-depth data comparisons across markets, offering insights for renters, landlords, and policymakers alike.
