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Annual Rent Increase Calculator

See exactly how much your rent went up year over year, in dollars and percent, and whether that increase is in line with your local market.

Comparing this year's renewal price to last year's? Enter last year's rent as "current" and this year's offer as "new."

How this is calculated

The math is simple: subtract your current rent from the new price, then divide by your current rent and multiply by 100.

(new rent − old rent) ÷ old rent × 100 = percentage increase

So a jump from $1,800 to $1,950 is a $150 increase, and $150 ÷ $1,800 × 100 = 8.3%. The dollar amount matters for your budget, but the percentage is what's actually comparable to market data and rent-control caps, and it's what other renters in your area are seeing too. That's why lease renewal notices and rent-control laws are almost always written in percentage terms, not dollar amounts.

What counts as a normal increase?

Nationally, rent increases have typically landed in roughly the 3–5% range in recent years, though this shifts with local supply, demand, and inflation. Whether a specific number is "normal" also depends on your state and city. Some places cap increases by law, and even where there's no cap, local market conditions set the practical ceiling. See California renter rights for the specifics where you live.

What to do if yours is above average

An increase can be entirely legal and still negotiable. Leasing offices build in room to move, especially if you've paid on time, plan to renew (not move), or can point to comparable units nearby renting for less. CounterWise checks your new price against real market data for your building and area, then builds a negotiation email around the strongest case available.

See where your renewal actually stands

Free market comparison and a negotiation strategy built around your real numbers. Takes about two minutes.

Check My Renewal →

Frequently asked questions

How is a rent increase percentage calculated?
Subtract your old rent from your new rent, divide the result by your old rent, then multiply by 100. A rent that goes from $1,800 to $1,950 is a 8.3% increase: ($1,950 − $1,800) ÷ $1,800 × 100.
What counts as a normal rent increase?
It varies by market and year, but increases in the low single digits (roughly 3–5%) are typically considered ordinary in most U.S. metro areas, while double-digit increases are worth scrutinizing and, in some states, may exceed a legal cap.
Is a rent increase over 10% legal?
It depends entirely on where you live. Some states and cities cap annual rent increases (California’s statewide cap is 5% plus local inflation, up to 10% total); many others, including Texas, have no cap at all. Check your state’s specific rules before assuming either way.
Does this calculator require an account or email?
No. Enter your current and new rent and you get an instant result, no sign-up required. Email is only needed later if you want a reminder before your renewal notice arrives, or to generate a negotiation email.