Although high and rising rents often are associated with big coastal states such as New York or California, new data shows that states once considered more affordable are seeing major rent hikes.

A new analysis from Premier Timber Frame Builders – based on data from Zillow’s Observed Rent Index, which tracks prices for both apartment units and single-family rental homes nationwide — shows that average monthly rents are climbing in the Midwest and portions of the South.

West Virginia saw the largest increase in average rent from 2024 to 2025, a 6% jump over the past year, followed by Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois, all of which saw rent increases above 5% (Nebraska 4.83%). Other states rounding out the top 10 include Mississippi, Kansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

In many Midwestern and Southern states, a flock of residents moving from coastal areas see more affordable housing opportunities, and with that, cities are grappling with rising population growth amid a finite supply of housing. More apartments were completed in 2024 than in any year since 1974, according to census data, but there’s since been a slowdown in building starts. 

Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org.

This story was published originally by Stateline. Stateline reports on the big challenges that cross state borders. They’re part of the States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/01/13/repub/many-states-considered-safe-for-affordable-housing-saw-the-highest-rise-in-rents-analysis-shows/