News Summary
In 2024, the average size of new apartments in the U.S. increased to 908 square feet, up from 903 in 2023. Southern states, especially Florida, are leading this trend. Tallahassee boasts an average size of 1,130 square feet, while Marietta shows significant growth. However, some urban areas like Seattle and Portland have reported declines. The shift towards larger apartment sizes reflects changing rental preferences influenced by remote work arrangements.
Tallahassee – In 2024, the average size of new apartments in the United States has risen to 908 square feet, marking an increase from 903 square feet in 2023 and 891 square feet in 2022. According to RentCafe.com’s annual report, this trend indicates a significant shift away from a decade-long drift towards smaller living spaces, largely driven by the growing demand for hybrid and remote work arrangements.
The report reveals that Southern states, particularly in Florida, are leading this increase in apartment sizes. Notably, Tallahassee boasts the largest average size for new apartments at 1,130 square feet. Following closely, Gainesville also in Florida, has an impressive average of 1,122 square feet, appealing to both students and budget-conscious renters. Other notable mentions include Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with an average of 1,055 square feet and Knoxville, Tennessee, along with Marietta, Georgia, averaging 1,041 square feet.
Marietta has experienced the most significant increase in apartment size, growing by an average of 100 square feet over the last decade. In contrast, some regions are seeing lesser, yet still positive, changes. For example, San Francisco has seen an increase of 59 square feet in its average new apartment size, now standing at 716 square feet. Similarly, areas such as Queens and Brooklyn in New York reported modest increases of 39 and 6 square feet, respectively, while Cleveland realized an increase of 57 square feet.
Despite the overall growth in apartment sizes in many areas, certain urban locations have reported declines. Seattle witnessed a substantial reduction in average apartment size, dropping to 649 square feet, which is 57 square feet less than in previous years. Portland, Oregon, also experienced a decrease, with an average now at 668 square feet after a drop of 79 square feet.
The report further elaborates on how smaller apartments continue to evolve. Studios saw an increase of 13 square feet, while one-bedroom units grew by 6 square feet. Conversely, three-bedroom apartments noted a decline of 5 square feet, reflecting changing demands in rental preferences. The analysis covered floor plans in the 100 largest U.S. renter hubs, providing valuable insights into the shifting rental expectations as the market progresses into the upcoming season.
Overall, the South stands out as a region that consistently offers more spacious apartments, making these living spaces increasingly appealing for individuals and families faced with rising home prices across various parts of the country. The emphasis on larger apartments aligns with current lifestyle choices prioritizing space, especially amid increasing remote and hybrid work configurations.
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Additional Resources
- Miami Herald
- Consumer Affairs
- Newsweek
- News Nation
- Urban Turf
- Wikipedia: Apartment
- Google Search: trends in apartment sizes
- Google Scholar: apartment size trends 2024
- Encyclopedia Britannica: apartment
- Google News: apartment size 2024
