National Research Highlights 2025 Housing Trends

Two new reports from GlobeSt.com provide a valuable look at how the U.S. housing market is evolving in 2025. While the studies come from different sources, U.S. Census data and GoBankingRates in one, and Berkadia’s mid-year multifamily report in the other, the findings overlap in a meaningful way. Both point to the same conclusion: growth and affordability are converging in markets that are also driving the expansion of Build-to-Rent housing.

Population Growth and Affordability Drive Migration

The first report, [50 Cities Defined by Strong Population Growth and Value] (September 5, 2025), highlights where households are moving to find a balance between opportunity and attainable housing costs. Cities in Arizona, New Mexico, Omaha, Kansas City, and St. Louis made the list, showing that growth is no longer confined to traditional coastal markets. Instead, families are choosing regions where incomes stretch further, creating long-term demand for rental housing.

Rent Growth and Occupancy Remain Strong

The second report, [These Markets Are Setting the Pace for Multifamily Growth in 2025] (September 3, 2025), focused on rental housing performance across the country. Berkadia’s mid-year data revealed:

Nationally, effective rents rose 2.1% year over year to $1,869, while stabilized occupancy reached 95.7%, the highest in nearly three years.

What This Means for Build-to-Rent

The alignment between population migration and rental performance is especially important for the Build-to-Rent sector. Families who are priced out of homeownership are not only turning to rental housing but also seeking the space, privacy, and neighborhood feel of a single-family home. Build-to-Rent communities meet this demand by combining the benefits of rental living with the features of traditional homeownership.

How Cavan Companies is Positioned

At Cavan Companies, these trends align directly with our strategy. Our Build-to-Rent platform, The Bungalows®, is established in Arizona and is expanding into New Mexico, Omaha, Kansas City, and St. Louis. These are the very markets that independent research identifies as both growing and affordable—conditions that support long-term rental demand.

Two independent reports, one conclusion: growth and affordability are strongest in the very markets where Build-to-Rent is gaining momentum. For Cavan Companies, this confirms what we see on the ground every day: Build-to-Rent is positioned at the center of future housing growth.