RentCafe.com dug into the numbers in their 2025 Year-End Rental Competitiveness Report — and the area landed among the hardest places in the country for renters to secure an apartment.
Lansing–Ann Arbor ranked as the 10th most competitive rental market in the U.S., earning a rental competitiveness score of 82 out of 100.
A few key factors drove the tight conditions:
Most renters stayed put. Nearly 69% of renters renewed their leases, up from 66% last year. And when people don’t move, fewer apartments become available.
Very few units were open. Occupancy held steady at about 95%, leaving only 5% of apartments available throughout the year.
Competition stayed high. A typical vacant apartment drew 8 renters vying for the same unit, matching last year’s pressure.
Apartments rented quickly. Listings moved fast, becoming occupied in about 35 days, which is two days quicker than in 2024.
New supply helped — but not enough. Most Midwestern
metros built less in 2025, but Lansing–Ann Arbor built more, jumping from 0.82% in 2024 to 3% in 2025, the second-biggest increase in the region.
What can renters expect in 2026? Nationally, our analysis shows that:
Competition will be strong, especially during the summer months.
Seasonal patterns will return, but with even tighter conditions.
Peak-season pressure will intensify, with an estimated 11 renters per available unit nationwide by early summer.
If you’d like to use this data in your coverage or want a deeper look at any of the local metrics, I’d be glad to help.
For the full breakdown of rental competitiveness in 2025 and our outlook for 2026, here’s the complete report:
https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/
