U.S. Rents Match Pre-Pandemic Projections—Except in Big, Expensive Cities

Rents are resetting to pre-pandemic projections around the United States. Cities like San Francisco and New York are lagging behind, however.

1 minute read

July 5, 2021, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco

Lerner Vadim / Shutterstock

Marie Patino shares news of new research published by real estate aggregator Apartment List that measures the difference between pre-pandemic projected rents and current rents. One key takeaway: rents in San Francisco have the largest distinction between pre-pandemic projections and current realities—a difference of 16.1 percent.

The difference in San Francisco has still shrunk compared to the 35 percent decline in rent prices in December, when rents had declined by 35 percent year over year, matching a trend of climbing rental prices around the country. However, according to the data, prices are recovering to pre-pandemic projections slowest in large cities, like New York; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and Seattle. "Nationwide though, the trend looks different: The gap between actual and projected prices closed for the first time in May," explains Patino.

Infographics and more insight can be found in the source article.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in Bloomberg CityLab

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

15 minutes ago - Block Club Chicago

the New Mexico State capital building, made of orange clay

‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development

In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.

1 hour ago - High Country News

Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at a Gun Safety Legislation Press Conference.

California’s ‘unrecognizable’ water plan may go down the drain

After four years of regulatory processes, water agencies say the plan to overhaul how cities and farms take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed dramatically.

2 hours ago - Cal Matters