12 high-rent markets that could push consumers to buy a house

A slowdown in construction and tight home inventory is putting upward pressure not just on home prices, but on rental costs. While some consumers become priced out of the market, others have too limited a selection to choose from.

The national average rent continued its ascent in August, rising 3.3% in one month to $1,472, according to apartment search platform Rentcafe. While rent did rise at a slower pace than it did during the same period a year ago, monthly rent in some cities sits well above the country norm.

Assuming the nation's median monthly mortgage payment is still within range of the $1,030 average recorded in 2018 by the Census Bureau, consumers in high-rent housing markets may be particularly swayed to buy a house. Even if trends with local purchase values align as also being pricier, the investment aspect of owning property may incentivize certain consumers to do so.

While in some areas average rent sits well under the thousand-dollar mark, in others, figures above $4,000 are standard. From Manhattan to Denver, here's a look at 12 housing markets with the highest monthly rent.

The data for the rankings is derived from a report by Rentcafe and its sister company, Yardi Matrix, which analyzes monthly rent prices across the nation's largest cities.

Average monthly rent: $1,670
Amount over national average: $198
Month-over-month change in rent: -0.3%