New York City is the most expensive city for renters in the U.S., with average monthly rent of $4,107, or more than $49,000 a year. Boston ranked second at $3,497, followed by San Francisco at $3,322. Jersey City, New Jersey, came in fourth at $3,229, and Sunnyvale, California, was fifth at $2,998. The figures are based on data compiled by Apartments.com as of June 30, 2026.
New York City was the most expensive city for renters in the U.S., with average monthly rent of $4,107. Over a year, that comes to more than $49,000. Add utilities, parking and renter's insurance, and the actual amount paid out is even higher.
The No. 4 spot stands out. Jersey City, New Jersey, followed right behind San Francisco ($3,322) with average monthly rent of $3,229. Prices have risen as a years-long trend of renters leaving Manhattan for Jersey City, just across the river, has continued. The figures were compiled by Apartments.com as of June 30, 2026.
Top 5 Most Expensive Cities for Rent
The survey explained that in coastal areas and cities with concentrated tech industries, demand is strong while supply is limited, keeping prices high. The same reasons explain why New York and Jersey City both landed near the top.
Bergen County, home to many Korean Americans, did not make the city rankings. But in areas along the Hudson River with commuter access to Manhattan, such as Fort Lee and Edgewater, prices feel not much different from Jersey City. Areas farther inland, such as Palisades Park and Ridgefield, still show a gap.
If you are about to sign a lease, don't look only at the advertised price. Factor in parking, whether water and heat are included, and the broker fee. Since last year, New York City has required landlords to pay the broker fee, but in New Jersey tenants still often pay it. Even for the same $3,000 apartment, the terms can make a difference of several thousand dollars a year.