A renewal notice that raises your rent can feel arbitrary. A useful first step is to turn it into a percentage and compare it with what the wider market is doing.
Rent increase percentage calculator
Subtract your current rent from the new rent, divide by the current rent, and multiply by 100. Going from $1,500 to $1,650 is a 10% increase, or $1,800 more over a year.
Average rent increase 2026
National trackers disagree. Apartment List's September 2026 report put the median rent at $1,388 and rents 0.4% lower than a year earlier. Apartments.com's report for the same month showed asking rents up 1.5%, at an average of $1,752. Both are real measurements; they use different listings and methods.
Is a 10 percent rent increase normal
Against either tracker, 10% is well above national rent growth, though your local market may differ a lot from the national picture. Comparing similar listings near you is a good second check.
How much can a landlord raise rent
It depends on where you live. Some states and cities cap increases or require advance notice, while many places have no cap. This post is not legal advice; check your state or local housing agency for the rules that apply to you.
Is my rent increase fair: reading the result
Apartment List measures rents on new leases, not renewals, which is worth remembering when you compare. The checker flags how many percentage points your increase sits above the higher national figure, and leaves the judgment to you.
Sources: Apartment List National Rent Report and methodology (September 2026); Apartments.com Multifamily Rent Growth Report (September 2026).