Orlando Apartment Rentals 2025: Prices Jump 12%

Orlando renters whose leases end in July face average renewal increases of 12 percent, pushing monthly costs above $2,100 for a two-bedroom unit in many central zip codes.

The squeeze stems from persistent low inventory that has kept the metro vacancy rate below 5 percent since early 2025, even as new apartment projects along the I-4 corridor add units slowly. Local property managers report fewer than 1,200 vacant rentals listed across Orange and Seminole counties combined last month.

Neighborhood pressures and local resources

Tenants in College Park and the Mills 50 district have seen the steepest jumps, with some buildings near Lake Ivanhoe posting asking rents of $2,450. The Orlando Housing Authority's Section 8 waitlist remains closed, while the city's Affordable Housing Program at City Hall offers limited relocation grants only for households earning under 60 percent of area median income. Property managers at complexes near the Dr. Phillips Center say they are directing tenants to the Central Florida Realtors Association's rental portal for listings in less expensive pockets such as Pine Hills or Azalea Park.

Renewal numbers and next steps

A June 2026 report from the University of Central Florida's Institute for Economic Forecasting showed median rents rose from $1,875 in 2025 to $2,050 this year, outpacing wage growth in tourism and logistics jobs. Renters who contact landlords 60 days before expiration have secured smaller increases in roughly one-third of cases tracked by the Orlando Tenants Union. Others are exploring roommate matching through local Facebook groups or shifting to single-family homes in Oviedo where three-bedroom rents average $2,300 but include yards and garages. Those weighing a purchase can review current mortgage rates through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation's first-time buyer portal before deciding whether to lock in ownership costs or sign a shorter lease extension.