Apartment Concessions Hit 11-Year High

Apartment concessions reached a post-2010 high in January 2026. US concessions activity rose, with 16.6% of apartments offering discounts.
Apartment concessions reached a post-2010 high in January 2026. US concessions activity rose, with 16.6% of apartments offering discounts.
  • US concessions reached their highest rate since 2014, with 16.6% of stabilized apartments offering discounts in January 2026.
  • The average apartment discount held at 10.7%, with Class A units at 11% and Class C at 10.8%.
  • Concession usage was highest among Class C properties, with 23.1% offering a discount.
Key Takeaways

Concessions Surge in Early 2026

US apartment concessions activity climbed in January 2026, reversing a dip seen in December 2025. Recent data from RealPage Market Analytics shows 16.6% of stabilized apartments nationwide offered some form of rent concession, up a full point from the previous month and reaching the highest level since mid-2014.

Chart showing 16.6% of US apartments offered concessions in January 2026, the highest level since 2014, with average discounts rising to about 11%.

Concessions deepened most in Class B and C apartments, rising 0.4 points since October to settle at 10.3% and 10.8% discounts, respectively. Class A units continued to post the most significant concession rates at 11%, though this figure has remained stable in recent months. Notably, concession usage was most widespread in Class C product, where nearly one in four properties offered a discount in January. In contrast, only 12.5% of Class A and 14.6% of Class B apartments reported concession activity.

Floorplan and Market Outlook

Across different floorplans, concession offers were relatively consistent, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units aligning with the national average. However, efficiency units showed weaker performance, as 19% of these apartments provided discounts averaging 12.1%. Industry observers point to ongoing competitive pressures and high supply as contributing factors to the persistent concessions trend, a dynamic playing out nationwide as new deliveries push operators to increase incentives to maintain occupancy levels.

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