New data reveals a significant shift in apartment sizes across the United States, with 2024 marking a notable reversal of the decade-long trend toward smaller living spaces. According to recent findings from RentCafe, the average apartment size in America has expanded to 908 square feet, reflecting growing consumer demand for more spacious residential options.
The analysis, based on Yardi Matrix data examining the 100 largest U.S. rental markets as of February 2025, shows incremental growth across all unit types. Studios, single-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments each gained between 4 and 13 square feet in the past year. Developers have shown a particular focus on one-bedroom units, which now represent approximately half of all new apartment construction.
Florida has emerged as a leader in spacious rental accommodations, with Tallahassee and Gainesville offering the largest new apartments nationwide. Tallahassee’s units average an impressive 1,130 square feet, despite showing a slight decrease compared to older properties. The top five markets for apartment size are rounded out by Baton Rouge, Knoxville, and Marietta, Georgia, with Marietta demonstrating the most substantial growth – new units are 100 square feet larger than those constructed before 2015.
Major metropolitan areas are also participating in this spatial expansion. San Francisco has experienced a 59-square-foot increase over the past decade, while Queens, New York, has added 39 square feet to its average unit size. However, not all cities follow this trend. Seattle continues to offer the most compact new apartments, with an average of just 649 square feet – representing a significant reduction of 57 square feet compared to ten years ago.
Some markets have seen even more dramatic decreases in living space. Arlington, Texas, recorded the most substantial decline, with new apartments shrinking by 215 square feet on average. Similar reductions were observed in Detroit, Memphis, and Birmingham, where developers have prioritized smaller, more affordable units to meet market demands.
The shift toward larger apartments represents a significant change in the rental market landscape, with developers responding to increased consumer preference for more livable spaces. This trend suggests a potential long-term transformation in how Americans view rental housing, with greater emphasis on comfort and functionality.
The expansion in apartment sizes comes at a crucial time as the 2025 rental season begins, indicating that square footage has become an increasingly important factor for renters. This development marks a notable departure from the previous trend of shrinking apartments that characterized much of the past decade.
The comprehensive market analysis indicates varying regional preferences and economic factors influencing apartment sizes across different cities. While some markets continue to prioritize density and affordability through smaller units, others are embracing the demand for more generous living spaces.
This evolving landscape of rental housing reflects broader changes in American living preferences, possibly influenced by recent shifts in work-from-home arrangements and lifestyle changes. The data suggests that where market conditions permit, developers are responding to consumer demands for more spacious living environments.
The contrast between markets like Tallahassee, with its expansive units, and Seattle, with its more compact offerings, highlights the diverse approaches to rental housing development across the country. These differences appear to be driven by a combination of local market conditions, consumer preferences, and economic factors specific to each region.