Staying Put Is the New Moving In
In New York City, everything moves fast — except, it seems, apartment leases. While renters in other parts of the country typically stay in one place for just over two years, New Yorkers are hanging onto their rentals far longer. According to a new report by RentCafe, the average renter nationally stays in their unit for about 28 months. In contrast, Manhattan renters average 38 months, Brooklyn sits at 42, and Queens leads the pack with a whopping 51 months. That’s more than four years in the same apartment — and in a city as competitive and chaotic as New York, that’s saying something.
As someone who has spent years in the NYC real estate world, I can tell you firsthand — this isn’t just about personal preference. It’s about economic pressure, community ties, and a housing market that leaves very little room for movement. The story behind the numbers reveals a city where renters are digging in, choosing consistency and familiarity over the uncertainty that comes with trying to find a new place.
When Interest Rates Climb, Renters Stay Grounded
A key factor in this extended stay trend is the current economic climate. With interest rates soaring and the cost of buying a home in NYC out of reach for many, renters are forced to reevaluate their long-term plans. A large number of people who would normally be first-time homebuyers are continuing to rent. They simply can’t afford to make the leap — and that’s keeping them rooted in their current apartments.
Doug Ressler from Yardi Matrix, the data provider behind the RentCafe report, explains it clearly: “There’s still a housing gap, and it’s taken over a decade to create that gap. It’s not going to be solved in the near term. So people are going to be renting longer.” It’s a sobering truth that impacts everyone — from landlords and property managers to families looking to grow in place rather than grow out of it.
The Emotional Anchor of NYC Living
But it’s not just about dollars and data. New Yorkers develop deep emotional ties to their neighborhoods. There’s a certain charm to knowing the guy who makes your morning coffee, waving to the same crossing guard every day, or walking your dog along the same familiar route. This kind of community connection is something renters here genuinely value.
As Ressler put it, “They want to be able to go get the pizza where they always go.” That line may sound simple, but it speaks volumes. In a city where everything changes constantly, routine becomes comfort. That’s why, when renters finally find an apartment that checks their boxes — location, price (or close enough), and a decent landlord — they’re not letting it go without a fight.
Moving Is a Luxury, Not a Lifestyle
Let’s be honest: no one enjoys moving. It’s expensive, exhausting, and full of uncertainty. Add in the stress of NYC’s competitive rental market — with bidding wars, low inventory, and skyrocketing prices — and you have a recipe for staying put.
This behavior also ties into seasonal rental patterns. The RentCafe data focused on the first three months of 2025 — traditionally a quieter time in the rental cycle. But once late summer hits, the city’s prime moving season begins, and with it comes heightened competition and rising anxiety. In that frenzy, renters who have a stable home often decide the safest choice is to stay right where they are.
What This Means for NYC’s Rental Future
So, what does this all mean for the city’s housing market? For one, turnover is slowing down, making it harder for new renters to find available units. It also shifts the conversation around development, policy, and long-term planning.
Landlords are seeing longer tenant retention, which can mean more consistent income — but it also puts pressure on maintaining relationships, property quality, and responsiveness. For tenants, it’s a matter of balancing personal needs with broader financial realities.
And for everyone else — real estate professionals, city planners, investors — the writing is on the wall: flexibility in the rental market is decreasing, and New Yorkers are hunkering down.
NYC Renters-Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, New York City renters are doing what New Yorkers do best — adapting. They’re finding ways to thrive in a challenging market by holding onto the places that make them feel at home.
Whether it’s for financial reasons, emotional ties, or simply the exhausting nature of moving, one thing’s for sure: when a New Yorker finds an apartment that feels right, they’re not going anywhere.
And in a city that never sleeps, maybe staying put is the smartest move of all.