For landlords
How to price your rental in South Florida
Price a rental from leases that were signed recently for homes like yours, not from what other owners are asking. HUD's Fair Market Rents and the Census median rents are useful checks, but both run behind the current market for different reasons. A rental priced a little high can sit empty for a month, and that month costs more than a modest cut would over the whole lease.
Updated Last checked 3 min read
Quick answer
- Signed leases beat asking rents. Asking rents are hopes.
- HUD's Fair Market Rent is set at the 40th percentile, so most similar homes rent for more.
- Census median rent counts every renter, including leases signed years ago.
- On a $2,500 rental, a $100 cut costs $1,200 a year. One empty month costs $2,500.
On this page
Start from signed leases
Asking rents are what owners hope to get. A signed lease is what a renter agreed to pay. Homes that sat for two months at an optimistic price still show up as competition when you browse, which is why browsing alone pushes owners high.
- The same neighborhood, or as close as you can get
- The same bedrooms and bathrooms, and a similar size
- Similar condition and updates
- The same deal on pets, parking and included utilities
- Leases signed in the last few months
What the public numbers tell you
| Figure | What it measures | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| HUD Fair Market Rent | Rent plus utilities at the 40th percentile of standard-quality homes, by metro area | A floor check, and the base for voucher payment standards |
| HUD Small Area FMR | The same, by ZIP code | Comparing ZIP codes, and voucher limits in South Florida |
| Census median gross rent | What all renters pay, including long-running leases | Long-run context, never a listing price |
The Census puts median gross rent at $1,829 in Miami-Dade, $1,907 in Broward and $1,916 in Palm Beach for 2020 to 2024. Those medians include tenants who signed years ago and stayed, so new listings usually ask more. More on how the numbers differ in what the rent numbers mean.
Count the full monthly price
Renters compare the total they will pay each month, rent plus required fees. A $2,350 rent with a $75 monthly amenity fee competes as $2,425. On Rentvana, renters see that all-in number up front, so the ones who message you have already done the math.
What an empty month costs
- Hold at $2,500 and sit empty one extra month
- $2,500 lost
- Cut to $2,400 and rent now
- $1,200 less over a 12-month lease
- Difference
- The cut comes out $1,300 ahead
Add a mortgage, taxes, insurance and association dues that keep coming while it sits, and the gap grows.
When to adjust
Judge the price by the inquiries it brings. If calls and messages are slow in the first couple of weeks, look at the price before the photos or the description. With a Rentvana listing, we review your price on day 14 and day 21, and when you cut it, renters whose saved search matches hear about it the same day.
Season matters in South Florida. Winter brings seasonal demand, and summer is slower for many neighborhoods, so a price that worked in January can sit in August.
Get the numbers for free
Our free rental price report pulls recent signed leases near yours and gives you the range. A licensed agent reviews the full report, with the leases we used, and emails it to you.
Questions people ask
How do I figure out how much to charge for rent in Florida?
Compare leases signed in the last few months for homes like yours nearby, then adjust for condition, parking, pets and included utilities.
Is HUD Fair Market Rent what my rental is worth?
Not exactly. It's set at the 40th percentile of rent plus utilities for standard-quality homes, so it's a floor check, not a listing price.
Should I lower my rent if it is not renting?
If inquiries are slow after the first couple of weeks, usually yes. One empty month costs more than a modest cut over a full lease.
For owners
Built from recent signed leases near yours.
A licensed agent prices your rental from signed leases, lists it on the MLS and answers your questions within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm.
Questions first? Call 888-601-8344 or email hello@rentvana.com.
Words in this guide
Sources
- HUD User: Fair Market Rents overview, FY2026huduser.gov
- HUD User: Small Area Fair Market Rentshuduser.gov
- HUD User: Fair Market Rentshuduser.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Miami-Dade County, Floridacensus.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Broward County, Floridacensus.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Palm Beach County, Floridacensus.gov
Checked against these sources on by Rentvana Editorial. If something has changed, email hello@rentvana.com and we'll fix it.
Questions?
Call 888-601-8344 to talk to a licensed agent, or email hello@rentvana.com and one gets back to you within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm.