Democracy Dies in Darkness

In expensive cities, rents fall for the rich — but rise for the poor

August 6, 2018 at 5:00 a.m. EDT
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: A view looking southwest at the construction cranes, the washington monument in the distance, from NoMa (North of Massachusetts Ave) in Washington, DC on September 30, 2011. (Linda Davidson/THE WASHINGTON POST)

U.S. cities struggling with soaring housing costs have found some success in lowering rents this year, but that relief has not reached the renters most at risk of losing their housing.

Nationally, the pace of rent increases is beginning to slow down, with the average rent in at least six cities falling since last summer, according to Zillow data.