Cities with the biggest seasonal rent swings

How far typical asking rents move between the cheapest and priciest month of the year, from at least five years of Zillow data. The bigger the swing, the more it pays to time a lease. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Newport, RI ranks first, with a swing of 12.0% between October and May.
3 of the top 10 are in Florida.
Across all 1,163 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,915/mo.

Data as of August 2026. Gap between the cheapest and priciest calendar month, from Zillow's unadjusted and seasonally adjusted rent indexes over five or more years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

1,163 cities

Rank	City	Yearly swing	Cheapest month	Priciest month	Median rent
01	NewportRI Pop. 25KCompare →	12.0%	October	May	$3,073/mo
02	WellingtonFL Pop. 62KCompare →	11.4%	May	November	$3,540/mo
03	SomervilleMA Pop. 81KCompare →	7.5%	December	June	$3,414/mo
04	Long BeachNY Pop. 35KCompare →	7.3%	November	June	$3,574/mo
05	SaratogaCA Pop. 30KCompare →	6.9%	December	June	$6,340/mo
06	Saratoga SpringsNY Pop. 29KCompare →	6.6%	January	June	$2,123/mo
07	JupiterFL Pop. 62KCompare →	6.3%	June	December	$3,067/mo
08	CambridgeMA Pop. 119KCompare →	5.8%	January	June	$3,476/mo
09	WatertownMA Pop. 36KCompare →	5.8%	December	July	$3,094/mo
10	VeniceFL Pop. 27KCompare →	5.8%	May	December	$2,147/mo
11	ProsperTX Pop. 38KCompare →	5.7%	February	August	$2,073/mo
12	RedmondWA Pop. 77KCompare →	5.3%	December	July	$2,639/mo
13	DavisCA Pop. 67KCompare →	5.3%	January	July	$2,529/mo
14	Mercer IslandWA Pop. 25KCompare →	5.0%	December	July	$2,827/mo
15	WestmontIL Pop. 24KCompare →	4.9%	December	June	$1,969/mo
16	LenexaKS Pop. 58KCompare →	4.9%	January	July	$1,694/mo
17	IssaquahWA Pop. 40KCompare →	4.8%	December	July	$2,940/mo
18	Bonita SpringsFL Pop. 56KCompare →	4.8%	June	December	$2,428/mo
19	Greenwood VillageCO Pop. 15KCompare →	4.8%	January	August	$2,202/mo
20	ChesterfieldMO Pop. 50KCompare →	4.8%	March	July	$1,767/mo
21	FranklinMA Pop. 33KCompare →	4.7%	February	June	$2,663/mo
22	CoronadoCA Pop. 19KCompare →	4.6%	October	July	$5,550/mo
23	La QuintaCA Pop. 39KCompare →	4.6%	June	November	$3,568/mo
24	KirklandWA Pop. 93KCompare →	4.6%	January	July	$2,603/mo
25	NaplesFL Pop. 20KCompare →	4.6%	July	December	$2,549/mo
26	Coeur d'AleneID Pop. 56KCompare →	4.6%	December	July	$1,861/mo
27	Maryland HeightsMO Pop. 28KCompare →	4.5%	February	September	$1,372/mo
28	Foster CityCA Pop. 33KCompare →	4.4%	January	July	$4,417/mo
29	MedfordMA Pop. 59KCompare →	4.4%	January	June	$3,577/mo
30	BellevueWA Pop. 152KCompare →	4.4%	December	July	$2,828/mo
31	IndioCA Pop. 92KCompare →	4.4%	July	January	$2,349/mo
32	WarwickRI Pop. 83KCompare →	4.4%	February	July	$2,182/mo
33	DublinOH Pop. 49KCompare →	4.4%	December	July	$1,828/mo
34	Rock SpringsWY Pop. 23KCompare →	4.4%	March	September	$1,172/mo
35	LafayetteCO Pop. 31KCompare →	4.3%	December	July	$2,189/mo
36	Carol StreamIL Pop. 39KCompare →	4.3%	December	June	$1,851/mo
37	Spokane ValleyWA Pop. 106KCompare →	4.3%	January	July	$1,547/mo
38	South PortlandME Pop. 27KCompare →	4.2%	February	July	$2,492/mo
39	DoverNH Pop. 33KCompare →	4.2%	January	August	$2,297/mo
40	SilverdaleWA Pop. 21KCompare →	4.2%	February	September	$2,078/mo
41	South Salt LakeUT Pop. 26KCompare →	4.2%	January	August	$1,527/mo
42	Laguna BeachCA Pop. 23KCompare →	4.1%	October	May	$5,303/mo
43	MelroseMA Pop. 30KCompare →	4.1%	January	June	$3,055/mo
44	Palm DesertCA Pop. 52KCompare →	4.1%	July	December	$2,677/mo
45	Prairie VillageKS Pop. 23KCompare →	4.1%	November	July	$2,236/mo
46	MiddletownCT Pop. 48KCompare →	4.1%	February	July	$1,987/mo
47	New LondonCT Pop. 28KCompare →	4.1%	January	September	$1,641/mo
48	MurrayUT Pop. 50KCompare →	4.1%	February	September	$1,482/mo
49	SammamishWA Pop. 66KCompare →	4.0%	December	July	$3,587/mo
50	Vernon HillsIL Pop. 27KCompare →	4.0%	December	July	$2,619/mo