Atlanta Rent Increases Defy National Trend, Ranks 25th Most Expensive in U.S.

As rents decline in many parts of the country, Atlanta is moving in the opposite direction. A new report from Zumper reveals that while the national rental market is experiencing slight relief, the Georgia capital continues to feel the pressure of rising housing costs.

According to Zumper’s National Rent Index, the average rent in the U.S. dropped between 0.2% and 0.5%, largely due to an increase in housing supply over the past year. This surge in availability has enabled many renters to upgrade to higher-end units, leaving lower-cost rentals more accessible and creating a ripple effect of affordability across several markets.

But Atlanta bucks that trend.

In contrast to the national decline, average rents in Atlanta rose between 0.6% and 1% over the same period. Despite some year-over-year improvements, with one-bedroom units down 5.3% and two-bedroom units 2.8% cheaper than last year, Atlantans are still paying more month-to-month. The average rent now stands at $1,610 for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,100 for a two-bedroom, making Atlanta the 25th most expensive rental market in the country.

Zumper CEO Anthemos Georgiades commented on the national outlook, warning that if demand remains high while construction slows, prices could rebound later in the year. This raises concerns for Atlanta, where the rental market already shows signs of being less responsive to broader national trends.

Further compounding the issue is data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that the shelter index—one of the largest components of overall inflation—rose by 4% as of March, marking the smallest 12-month increase since late 2021. Even so, housing remains the single biggest contributor to metro Atlanta’s inflation, which rose 2.5% over the past year. Within that, rent specifically increased by 0.3%, and the “owners’ equivalent of rent”—a key measure of housing costs for homeowners—rose 0.4%.

As affordability becomes a growing concern, Atlanta renters are watching national trends with little comfort. The rest of the country may be seeing modest relief, but in Atlanta, housing remains a top driver of financial strain.