US Rental Vacancy Rate
US Rental Vacancy Rate stood at 7.3% in Q2 2026, according to Census Bureau (Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, HVS). It is one of the indicators in the Homeownership and vacancy rates table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 1956 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Homeownership and vacancy rates table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RATES | |||||||||||
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 7 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.6 | |
| Homeownership rate | 65 | 65.3 | 65.7 | 65.3 | 65 | 65.1 | 65.7 | 65.6 | 65.6 | 65.6 |
Understanding US Rental Vacancy Rate
This data series measures the proportion of the rental housing inventory that is vacant and available for rent across the United States, expressed as a percentage of total rental housing stock. It includes vacant apartments and single-family rentals actively seeking tenants, while excluding units rented but not yet occupied, seasonal rentals, and owner-occupied properties. Observers frequently compare this metric with homeowner vacancy rates, but the rental vacancy rate exclusively reflects supply and demand dynamics within the tenant-occupied housing market.
Interpreting this series involves examining regular release cycles and accounting for potential revisions stemming from updated population benchmarks. Rental markets are subject to distinct seasonal leasing patterns, meaning year-on-year comparisons provide a clearer picture of structural shifts than month-on-month or quarter-on-quarter changes. Analysts rely on these adjusted perspectives to gauge landlord pricing power and broader housing market tightness.