Those on the hunt for an apartment in the Lehigh Valley are having a harder time right now than almost any other market in the nation, according to a new analysis from RentCafe.com.
Lehigh Valley secured the second spot nationally among small metros with a Rental Competitiveness Index score of 90.6. Another Pennsylvania market, Harrisburg, followed close behind at third place with an RCI score of 88.2.
Fayetteville, Arkansas topped the list of small metros with an RCI score of 92.4.
The analysis examined 139 of the largest U.S. markets using five key measures: vacancy duration, occupancy rates, applicants per available unit, lease renewal rates, and new apartment supply.
The national RCI score reached 75.2 in 2025, indicating that apartment hunting grew more challenging compared to the previous year’s score of 74.4.
In Lehigh Valley, competition remains intense despite a modest supply increase of 2.58%, up from 2.44% in 2024. The RentCafe.com analysis says the region is drawing commuters, remote workers, and residents from New Jersey and New York seeking more affordable housing options.
It also notes the area’s colleges, including Lehigh University, add pressure to the rental market as students compete with young professionals and families for off-campus housing when campus accommodations reach capacity.
The tight supply keeps occupancy at 96.2%, with nearly 80% of renters choosing to renew their leases, slightly below last year’s 80.7%. Available apartments fill within an average of 40 days and attract approximately 15 applicants each — the highest number among small metros in the analysis.