Rental Vacancy Is at 7.3%: What That Means When You Negotiate Your Next Lease

More empty rentals usually means more room to negotiate. The latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show the national rental vacancy rate holding at 7.3 percent, up from about 6.3 to 6.6 percent in 2023. Here's what the data says and how to use it when you sign or renew a lease.

What the Census Data Shows

The Census Bureau's Housing Vacancy Survey for the second quarter of 2026 reported:

• National rental vacancy rate: 7.3 percent, the same as the first quarter of 2026 and not statistically different from 7.0 percent a year earlier.
• Median asking rent for vacant units: $1,531.
• By area: 8.0 percent in principal cities, 6.9 percent in suburbs, and 5.8 percent outside metro areas.
• By region: 9.5 percent in the South, 6.9 percent in the Midwest, 5.9 percent in the Northeast, and 5.3 percent in the West.

For comparison, the rate was 5.6 to 6.0 percent through most of 2022. Vacancy has drifted up steadily since then.

What It Means in the West

Utah, Idaho, and Arizona are all in the Census Bureau's West region, which had the lowest rental vacancy rate in the country at 5.3 percent. That means renters here generally have less leverage than renters in the South. Regional numbers cover a lot of ground, though, and local conditions can differ a lot from one city or even one neighborhood to the next. A complex with several units sitting empty in November is in a different spot than one with a waiting list.

How to Use Vacancy When You Negotiate

1. Look at how long a listing has been up. A unit that has been listed for several weeks costs the owner money every day it sits empty.
2. Ask about concessions, not just rent. A free half month, a waived application or pet fee, or a covered parking spot can be easier for an owner to say yes to than a lower monthly rent.
3. Offer something in return. A longer lease, a flexible move-in date, or strong references give the owner a reason to agree.
4. Compare similar units. Bring two or three comparable listings nearby so your ask is grounded in what the market is actually charging.
5. Get it in writing. Any concession should be in the lease or a signed addendum, including whether you'd have to repay it if you leave early.
6. Renewing? Start early. Ask about your renewal terms 60 to 90 days before your lease ends, while you still have time to look elsewhere.

New Numbers Are Coming This Week

The Census Bureau's next quarterly release, covering July through September, is scheduled for October 28, 2026. Winter is also typically a slower moving season, which can work in a renter's favor.

Looking for Your Next Place?

You can compare current rentals in Southern Utah, Eastern Idaho, and Tucson on RentDuck before you start negotiating.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey, "Quarterly Residential Vacancies and Homeownership, Second Quarter 2026" (Release CB26-116, July 28, 2026).