Study finds economic mood impacts renter decisions and remote workers value more space and pay higher rents vs. full-time in office employees

RCKRBX™, the first multifamily market intelligence platform to deliver leading-indicator, demand-side data for the built world, today released the findings from its inaugural National Renter Demand Indexing study, revealing in-depth insights around the impacts of current economic conditions and time-in-office on renter decision-making, preferred property type and unit configurations going forward, migration and move patterns, and net performance effects on existing product based on renewal/leasing decision horizons.

“As renter expectations continue to evolve and reshape the multifamily market, RCKRBX’s inaugural National Renter Demand Indexing study provides a unique and data-rich lens into what renters want today and tomorrow,” said Michael Broder, CEO & Co-Founder of RCKRBX. “Our research shows renter demand and preferences have shifted significantly post-pandemic while existing supply and new construction/recent deliveries remain out of sync with what renters want and how these markets will continue to evolve. Developers and asset owners who deliver product more aligned to the new renter mindset are poised to achieve greater performance, resilience and value.”

Key takeaways from the report include:

Economic Outlook & Renewal

• 43% of prospective renters think the economy is headed in the right direction, while 39% say it’s on the wrong track, suggesting polarization among viewpoints
• As a result of recent economic and market conditions, while only 17% of renters are firmly committed to renewing their leases, 46% of prospective renters say they’ll increase their rent budgets in their next move to secure larger spaces and premium amenities, compared to 20% who say they’ll decrease their rent budgets – in other words, despite economic uncertainty this is an opportunity for apartment developers, owners and operators to match their products to renter demand for additional premium. This trend is especially driven by younger, economically mobile renters who remain open to exploring new housing options and redefining their priorities.
• Top rental drivers nationwide include: Economic conditions (41%), Lifestyle/job requirements (30%), Not yet settled and not interested in buying a home yet (25%), and Preference over homeownership (24%)

Renter Teleworking Dynamics

• Almost half of renters surveyed are hybrid or remote workers, and those with more flexible work arrangements are more likely to pay higher rent premiums
• Among renters that are employed full-time, part-time, or business owners, they are currently working:
  • Fully in-office/onsite (54%)
  • Hybrid, 3-4 days in-office (25%)
  • Hybrid, 1-2 days in office (8%)
  • Fully remote (13%)
• Hybrid, 3-4 days in-office peaks in middle aged (35-44) renters (28%)
• Fully remote workers increase among oldest (55+) prospective renters (23%)
• Texas/Southwest boasts the highest percentage of renters working fully in-office (63%) while the Mid-Atlantic boasted the highest percentage of fully remote workers (18%)

Future Unit Demand by Desired Configuration

• Renters are seeking larger units and different configurations than current supply would indicate
• Study found significant untapped and underserved demand for 2 and 3-bedroom units at competitive and premium rental rates
• Substantial unit demand vs. unit supply misalignment exists with study findings indicating gap will widen over the next 36 months
• Future Renter Demand by Unit Type vs. Existing Supply* by Unit Type:
  • Studio: 4% unit demand vs. 12% unit supply
  • One Bedroom: 21% unit demand vs. 41% unit supply
  • Two Bedroom / Junior Two Bedroom: 52% unit demand vs. 39% unit supply
  • Three Bedroom: 23% unit demand vs. 8% unit supply

(*Nationwide unit supply data sourced from NMHC)

Renter Decision Criteria

• 77% of renters identified as “Utilitarian”, meaning they are driven by the pragmatic aspects of their building/unit, while 23% identified as “Taste-makers,” those that are driven by the provocative such as amenities, location, etc.
  • Safety and security, as well as rent and other monthly fees, were the first most important criteria for “Utilitarian” renters
  • For “Taste-maker” renters, pet-friendliness and property amenities were the first most important criteria
• 42% cited a 1-year lease as their ideal term for their next apartment home, followed by a 2-year lease (32%)

Renter Landscape & Demographics

• Younger, more economically mobile renters tend to consider longer-distance moves, novel lease terms, and different product types (including two thirds considering build-to-rent townhomes and detached single-family product)
• The 35 – 44 age group represented the highest percentage of renters in the current market (33%)
• 31% of renters have lived more than 5 years in the current city or metro area, and 24% have lived in their current residence for 1-2 years
• 75% of current renters are employed full-time, while 9% are self-employed and 6% work part-time

RCKRBX’s proprietary data science and probability-based analytics enable investors, developers and owners/operators to evaluate, align and optimize acquisition strategy, project programming, and go-to-market positioning around future demand and achievable rents—before they buy or build.

“For years, the industry has relied on backward-looking, lagging indicators—lease-up velocity, rent comps, absorption, job growth, etc.—to inform forward-looking decisions and strategy,” said Kevin Hudak, Chief Research Officer at RCKRBX. “We make it possible to see the future—painting far more holistic, accurate, and predictive pictures of a project’s future, the populations who will live there, and the premiums they will pay, for what and why.”

RCKRBX’s proprietary database consists of statistically powered and representative renter polling data and associated variables down to the zip code level combined with contextual market information and supply-side data. Survey datasets are updated quarterly and align with US Census geo-demographics at the neighborhood level for all covered geographies. RCKRBX utilizes quantitative research industry standards and best practices for survey design, sample recruitment, data quality control, and privacy protection.

The report is the result of a survey distributed by RCKRBX, reaching 2,342 prospective renters (with a statistical margin of error of +/- 2.2%) across the United States on their economic outlook, renter preferences, and renting habits and behaviors.

RCKRBX will host a webinar to provide a live, in-depth overview of the study findings on November 6, 2025 at 1PM EST. For information on how to register for the webinar and access the full National Renter Demand Index report, please reach out to RCKRBX@marinopr.com.

About RCKRBX

RCKRBX is the first multifamily market intelligence platform to offer leading indicator, demand-side data and predictive performance models based on comprehensive survey responses from thousands of current and prospective renters within specific markets. The platform delivers actionable insight around: (1) the preferences, priorities, attitudes, and viewpoints that drive renter demand and decision-making and (2) how these factors will impact asset NOI, competitive performance, and returns once on the market. RCKRBX’s data model and predictive analytics combine real-time, human insights with contextual, supply-side information to unlock market opportunity, identify drivers of demand and premiums, and quantify the value of place. The platform is immediately and easily accessible and delivers a clear impact from a project risk-return basis. To learn how RCKRBX turns human preference into actionable decision intelligence or schedule a platform demo, please visit www.rckrbx.com.

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