NYC apparently doesn't have the highest average rent in America—frankly, we're flabbergasted
New Yorkers are used to finishing first in many categories— bagels, Broadway, complaining—but according to a new report, our signature pastime of rent-related suffering might not top the charts anymore. That's right: As of February 2025, New York City no longer holds the crown for highest average rent in America.
Pause for dramatic gasp.
SmartAsset's latest ranking, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index (ZORI), puts Boston at the top of the rent mountain, with an average monthly price tag of $3,495 for all homes. New York came in just behind at $3,489. Yes, by a mere $6, the financial equivalent of an oat milk latte.
But don't get too comfortable. New York City rents did rise more steeply year over year, jumping 4.14-percent compared to Boston's 4.06-percent. And if you're a numbers person, you'll know that makes our rent pain a little more acute.
Still, neither city saw the biggest hike: That dubious honor belongs to Newark, New Jersey, where rents surged 8.11-percent in just one year. From $2,073 to $2,241, Newark's five-year climb totals a whopping 46.5-percent, giving fresh ammo to New Yorkers who never bought the 'Jersey is cheaper' narrative.
The rest of the top five reads like a California dream turned financial nightmare: San Francisco ($3,368), Irvine ($3,306) and San Jose ($3,131) rounded out the most expensive markets. California dominated the top 10 with five cities, proving that sunshine still costs a premium.
SmartAsset analyzed rental data across 100 U.S. cities, comparing 2025 prices to 2024 and 2020. While renters in NYC may feel slightly vindicated, the reality is still grim: Our average rent is 144-percent higher than the national average, according to Apartments.com.
So no, we're not the most expensive anymore—but we're still painfully close. And until the day a one-bedroom drops below $2,000 without including a shower in the kitchen, we reserve the right to keep complaining.
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