Renters are moving less frequently, with 1 in 6 now staying for 10 years or more

Soaring home prices and record-high mortgages are keeping renters locked into their units for longer.

According to a new report from Redfin, one in six renters (16.6%) stayed in their homes for 10 years or more as of 2022—an increase from 13.9% a decade earlier. Nearly as many renters didn't move for over a decade.

Meanwhile, 16.4% said they have stayed in their home for 5-9 years as of 2022. That represents a small increase over the 14% of renters who stayed in their units for 5-9 years a decade earlier.

“The uptick in tenure is beneficial for renters and their landlords,” said Redfin senior economist Sheharyar Bokhari.

“While the fact that people are staying in their rentals longer may mean they can’t afford to buy a home in today’s market, staying put also means they’re saving some money that could eventually go toward a down payment if they do have a goal of homeownership.” (

41.8% said they have been in their rental for 1-4 years as of 2022—the most of any group and a slight increase over the reported 39.9% from a decade earlier.

Roughly one quarter (25%) said they’d been in their rental home for 12 months or less before moving in 2022—down from 32.2% in 2012.

What’s causing the increased rental tenure?

The post-pandemic housing craze has left many would-be homebuyers with no choice but to rent.

Zillow estimates that between 2019 and 2023, rents jumped 30.4% nationwide while wages rose only 20.2%. That means that any increase in income was eaten up by rising rental costs.

Outpacing each was U.S. home-sale prices — which have risen 54% since 2019 and more than doubled since 2012.

“It’ll take time for the market to come down from the stress it’s faced during the pandemic,” said ICE Mortgage Technology vice president of enterprise research strategy, Andy Walden.

Long-term rentals can save you money

The pandemic housing surge has forced many into renting longer than they’d like — but the increase in rental tenure can provide benefits for those who stay longest.

”Staying in the same home means they’re likely to face smaller rent increases, and they’re saving money on moving costs and application fees,” Bokhari said. “Landlords typically prefer long-term tenants because they don’t have to spend money on cleaning and marketing vacant units.”

Redfin data shows that baby boomers are staying in their rentals the longest — with 32.9% having lived in their home for 10-plus years.

Gen Zers are the most likely to change rental units — with over half (55.5%) saying they’ve been in their home for less than 12 months as of 2022.