Median Gross Rent
Definition
The midpoint of gross rent payments for renter-occupied housing units. Gross rent includes contract rent plus estimated monthly costs of utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewer) if paid separately.
Why It Matters
Rent is the largest monthly expense for the one-third of American households that rent. Median rent is a key indicator of housing affordability and cost of living.
How It's Measured
Reported by renters in the ACS survey. Gross rent adds utility estimates to contract rent for units where utilities are not included.
Related Ranking
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Related Glossary Terms
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Frequently Asked Questions
The midpoint of gross rent payments for renter-occupied housing units. Gross rent includes contract rent plus estimated monthly costs of utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewer) if paid separately.
Rent is the largest monthly expense for the one-third of American households that rent. Median rent is a key indicator of housing affordability and cost of living.
Reported by renters in the ACS survey. Gross rent adds utility estimates to contract rent for units where utilities are not included.
Median Gross Rent is one of the U.S. population demographics concepts that recurs across this site. The definition above is the technical answer; the paragraphs below add the practical context for how the concept connects to the the U.S. Census Bureau ACS and decennial files data behind every per-entity page on the site.
In the the U.S. Census Bureau ACS and decennial files data, this concept shapes one or more of the fields that drive the per-entity grades and rankings on this site. The methodology page describes which fields feed into which output; this glossary entry documents the underlying term.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.