STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As rent prices continue to skyrocket across the five boroughs, New York City often feels like the most unaffordable city in the country to live.

However, a new report from Smart Asset found that residents of another major Northeast city have it even worse.

The report, which analyzed rental data from Zillow’s Zillow Observed Rent Index, found that Boston has the highest average rent for all homes at $3,495, as of Feb. 28, 2025.

That number represents an increase of roughly 4.1% from the city’s average rent in 2024 of $3,359, and a 24.4% from its average rent in 2020 of $2,811.

New York City was a close second with a February 2025 average rent of $3,489, just six dollars cheaper than in Boston.

The Big Apple has seen its average rent increase roughly 4.1% from $3,350 in 2024, and 22.9% from $2,839 in 2020.

Rounding out the top five are three California cities; San Francisco, Irvine and San Jose, with average rent prices of $3,368, $3,306 and $3,131, respectively.

Here’s a look at the 10 U.S. cities with the highest average rent prices.

1) Boston, Massachusetts

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,495
  • One-year change in average rent: 4.06%
  • Average rent, 2024: $3,359
  • Average rent, 2020: $2,811
  • Five-year change in average rent: 24.37%

2) New York City, New York

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,489
  • One-year change in average rent: 4.14%
  • Average rent, 2024: $3,350
  • Average rent, 2020: $2,839
  • Five-year change in average rent: 22.88%

3) San Francisco, California

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,368
  • One-year change in average rent: 5.14%
  • Average rent, 2024: $3,204
  • Average rent, 2020: $3,426
  • Five-year change in average rent: -1.7%

4) Irvine, California

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,306
  • One-year change in average rent: 1.75%
  • Average rent, 2024: $3,249
  • Average rent, 2020: $2,464
  • Five-year change in average rent: 34.2%

5) San Jose, California

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,131
  • One-year change in average rent: 3.23%
  • Average rent, 2024: $3,033
  • Average rent, 2020: $2,814
  • Five-year change in average rent: 11.25%

6) Jersey City, New Jersey

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,129
  • One-year change in average rent: 4.62%
  • Average rent, 2024: $2,991
  • Average rent, 2020: $2,427
  • Five-year change in average rent: 28.9%

7) Chula Vista, California

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,126
  • One-year change in average rent: 3.92%
  • Average rent, 2024: $3,008
  • Average rent, 2020: $2,175
  • Five-year change in average rent: 43.75%

8) San Diego, California

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,025
  • One-year change in average rent: 2.72%
  • Average rent, 2024: $2,945
  • Average rent, 2020: $2,204
  • Five-year change in average rent: 37.26%

9) Miami, Florida

  • Average rent, 2025: $3,019
  • One-year change in average rent: 2.58%
  • Average rent, 2024: $2,943
  • Average rent, 2020: $1,934
  • Five-year change in average rent: 56.07%

10) Naples, Florida

  • Average rent, 2025: $2,912
  • One-year change in average rent: -1.29%
  • Average rent, 2024: $2,950
  • Average rent, 2020: $1,855
  • Five-year change in average rent: 56.98%

Rent on Staten Island

While still significantly cheaper than New York City as a whole, Staten Island has also seen its rent prices spike in recent years, with some neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by the increases.

The Staten Island Advance/SILive.com recently analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates to determine which neighborhoods have the most expensive rent prices.

The 10312 ZIP code, which covers Annadale, Arden Heights, Eltingville, Greenridge and Huguenot, had the highest median rent price at $1,911.

Following closely behind was the 10309 ZIP code, covering Pleasant Plains, Richmond Valley, Prince’s Bay, Charleston, Rossville and Woodrow, where the median rent price was $1,907.

In what may come as a surprise to some, the third-highest median rent price was in the 10302 ZIP code, which covers Port Richmond and Elm Park, where the median renter paid $1,800.

The high rent prices come as little surprise, as an Advance/SILive.com data analysis from last year found that the median rent across Staten Island spiked 38% over the past decade.

Here’s a look at the median rent prices in each Staten Island ZIP code, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

10301 (St. George, Tompkinsville, New Brighton, Grymes Hill, Sunnyside, Randall Manor and part of Livingston)

  • Median rent price: $1,697

10302 (Port Richmond and Elm Park)

  • Median rent price: $1,800

10303 (Mariners Harbor)

  • Median rent price: $1,520

10304 (Clifton, Concord, Emerson Hill, Stapleton, Todt Hill and part of Dongan Hills)

  • Median rent price: $1,516

10305 (Arrochar, Fort Wadsworth, Grasmere, Ocean Breeze, Rosebank, Shore Acres, South Beach and part of Dongan Hills)

  • Median rent price: $1,656

10306 (Egbertville, Grant City, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Dorp Beach, Oakwood, Richmond and part of Dongan Hills)

  • Median rent price: $1,743

10307 (Tottenville)

  • Median rent price: $1,618

10308 (Great Kills and Bay Terrace)

  • Median rent price: $1,729

10309 (Pleasant Plains, Richmond Valley, Prince’s Bay, Charleston, Rossville and Woodrow)

  • Median rent price: $1,907

10310 (West Brighton and part of Livingston)

  • Median rent price: $1,638

10312 (Annadale, Arden Heights, Eltingville, Greenridge and Huguenot)

  • Median rent price: $1,911

10314 (Bulls Head, Castleton Corners, Graniteville, Meiers Corners, New Springville, Travis, Westerleigh and Willowbrook)

  • Median rent price: $1,726