Rent Hikes Return as New-Build Boom Fades

U.S. rents are rising again, with the national median asking rent up about 2.3% year over year to roughly $2,000, led by higher single-family rents as the apartment-building boom cools. Even as vacancy remains elevated and concessions linger, landlords gain more pricing power in a market where new supply trails demand, and renewals can jump sharply (as in Dallas). Analysts expect further increases into next moving season, though rent growth still trails overall inflation and wage gains.