While 2026 has brought a slower pace to the national real estate market, Miami continues to dominate.<\/p>\n
This spring rental season, the “Magic City” is seeing slightly softer competition, yet it remains the most difficult market in the country for prospective tenants to crack.<\/p>\n
Rental Market Snapshot<\/p>\n
Miami RCI Score: 90.5 (Ranked #1 among large markets).<\/p>\n
National Average RCI: 75.4.<\/p>\n
Average Stay: Miami renters stay 36 months; U.S. average is 28.<\/p>\n
Competition: 13 renters per vacant unit in Miami.<\/p>\n
The apartment renewal rate has gone down from 76% a year ago to 71.4% now, in part due to an increase in new construction.<\/p>\n
Less future tenants are looking for apartments as well, with 13 renters per vacant unit, down one from 14 last year.<\/p>\n
Apartments are still leasing in just over a month\u2013taking two days more than the 36 average days last year.<\/p>\n
It seems Miami renters hold on to their properties<\/a>, however, often staying in the same apartment for 36 months (three full years) in comparison to the national baseline of 28 months.<\/p>\n By the Numbers: The Miami Shift<\/p>\n Renewal Rates: Apartment renewals dropped to 71.4%, down from 76% last year, largely due to a surge in new construction.<\/p>\n Demand: There are currently 13 renters competing for every vacant unit, a slight dip from 14 last year.<\/p>\n Leasing Speed: Apartments are leasing in 38 days on average, just two days slower than the 2025 average.<\/p>\n This stability makes the market that much more difficult to crack, as available apartments are almost always limited.<\/p>\n Miami took the cake for the highest Rental Competitive Index<\/a>, according to RentCafe.com<\/a>\u2019s recent Rental Competitive Report. Miami\u2019s RCI score of 90.5 out of 100 outperforms the national average of 75.4, and is the highest among the large U.S. markets.<\/p>\n Though Miami has slowed down, other neighbors sped up.<\/p>\n Broward County\u2019s RCI score gained 4.7 points this year, now racing 85.1, or #7 nationally. There are 9 to 10 renters competing for each vacant unit, growing in competitiveness.<\/p>\n Palm Beach County has also seen growth in this aspect, with a drop in new supply pushing its RCI score up 5.3 points to 84.2. With 9 renters per vacant unit, it is now the 14th most competitive small rental market in the U.S.<\/p>\n Though the Miami market stays hot, it seems renters are looking at other options in the meantime.<\/p>\n