When it comes to pure sizzle, it’s tough to top Miami. With a tropical climate, world-famous beach, next-level nightlife, and more Spanish speakers than a Telemundo talk show, this city is a multicultural, international icon. There’s just 36 square miles of real estate for the city’s 400,000 residents, but that acreage seems really minute when you consider the Miami metro area’s population of roughly 2.5 million people. Yep, finding your perfect place here will take some buena suerte (good luck), but once you get it, an amazing blend of style, culture and climate will be yours for the taking.
Condos are king—that’s the first thing you’ll need to know about renting in Miami
When it comes to pure sizzle, it’s tough to top Miami. With a tropical climate, world-famous beach, next-level nightlife, and more Spanish speakers than a Telemundo talk show, this city is a multicultural, international icon. There’s just 36 square miles of real estate for the city’s 400,000 residents, but that acreage seems really minute when you consider the Miami metro area’s population of roughly 2.5 million people. Yep, finding your perfect place here will take some buena suerte (good luck), but once you get it, an amazing blend of style, culture and climate will be yours for the taking.
Condos are king—that’s the first thing you’ll need to know about renting in Miami. South Florida is practically the condo capital of the world. Brokers are often used here, so enlisting a specialist to help you is a good idea. If you see something you like, it’d be wise to jump on it.
Give yourself about at least 6-8 weeks of time to find a place in Miami. Any less than that and you could wind up spending more time watching Jai alai matches than you anticipated. Keep in mind August and September are the months most likely to feature tropical storm activity, so if Hurricane Harry is about to blow through, your real estate agent might be about to blow you off.
The following rent averages come from current listings on our website. Rent prices listed are averages and may not reflect the cost of specific units. Rental prices can vary depending on factors like size, location, amenities, and availability.
On average, expect to pay around $2,341 per month for a studio apartment in Miami.
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Miami is approximately $2,861 per month.
In Miami, a 2-bedroom apartment typically rents for around $3,612 per month.
A 3-bedroom apartment in Miami will cost, on average, $5,394 per month.
So after watching season three of Miami Vice, you’re left wondering, “Do I need a car or a speedboat in Miami?” Sadly, the answer is the less exciting of the two. While the Metrorail (high speed), Metromover (free rapid transit downtown), and Metrobus options are great if you live downtown, everyone else will likely be in a car. Walk Score gives Miami a 77, so this is a city where you can strut your stuff.
Finding a pet-friendly apartment in New York City can feel overwhelming, but don't despair! While the city boasts a vibrant mix of cultures and energy, pet policies can vary significantly.
- Weight & breed restrictions: While dogs are popular even in the busiest parts of the city, be aware that many buildings (especially high-rises) have weight or breed limits for pets, often stricter than other locations.
- Building size and amenities: Larger buildings and those with dedicated pet amenities like dog runs are more likely to be pet-friendly.
The good news? Major rental listing websites like Apartment List allow filtering by pet-friendliness. Simply select “Dog-Friendly” or “Cat-Friendly” in your preferences when you start your search.
Still have questions about renting in Miami? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions from people who are moving to the city for the first time:
Using a budgeting rule that says rent should not be more than 30% of your income in order to live comfortably, then at the current median rate of $1,601 for a one-bedroom in Miami, we estimate you would need to earn a little under $70,000 to afford an apartment in the city.
We recommend Brickell, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables at great places to start looking for apartments. Brickell is the financial district, Coconut Grove has a lot of great condos, and Coral Gables has a lot of great dining options and is a beautiful, planned community.
Rent in Miami is a bit cheaper than in LA. The median rate for a one-bedroom in Miami as of April 2024 was $1,601, whereas it was $1,863 in Los Angeles.
Aventura: Technically its own city (since 1995), Aventura is part of Miami-Dade county and a lovely area full of high-rise condos and fancy homes. It also has the famous Aventura Mall.
Brickell: The financial district center and part of the greater downtown area, Brickell is chock full of towering condominiums that will cost plenty. This section is growing fast and it’s also one of the best spots to live sans car, as the city’s Metrorail and Metromover train systems stop here.
Coconut Grove: This famously festive neighborhood has lots of condos and pricey single family homes. Nightlife and the arts are very well represented here. You also might bump into LeBron James at the supermarket.
Coral Gables: One of the original planned communities, Coral Gables is a scenic area that’s home to the University of Miami. There’s lots of upscale restaurants and shopping to be found here, and it’s a great place to rent if you can find a place.
Design District: A small area south of Little Haiti, this neighborhood is a haven for dozens of art galleries. You’ll find many warehouses here and just a few places to live.
Downtown: The urban center and heart of the city. High rises are expensive but increasingly populated.
Hialeah: A predominantly middle class neighborhood.
Kendall: A pricier suburb of Miami between Coral Gables and Downtown, this area strikes a good balance between affordable and comforting.
Key Biscayne: An island retreat for the wealthy.
Little Havana: As its name implies, this spot is home to many Cuban immigrants and a mecca for Hispanic culture. Some areas are really on the upswing.
Little Haiti: A home away from home for the huge Haitian population in Miami, this area is full of Creole cooking and Creole-speaking residents.
Miami Lakes: A pleasantly planned town, Miami Lakes has a hometown feel that’s hard to find in many parts of the city.
Miami Shores: An inviting area of North Miami that stretches in from Biscayne Bay.
Opa-Locka: A small city within Miami-Dade, Opa-Locka is considered a place to avoid.
Overtown: A depressed area and another spot to skip.
South Beach: The beach. The celebs. (The diet.) South Beach features a dizzying mix of clubs, restaurants, hotels and shopping. Even if you have the cash to live here, vacancy rates hover around 2%.
Sunny Isles Beach: This small barrier island brings you plenty of beachiness with its condos. Lots of retirees here.
Winter won’t be a worry here (January’s average high temperature is 75 degrees), but hurricanes – or the threat of them - will get your attention each summer. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, but August and September are the months that you’ll find yourself watching way more of The Weather Channel than you’d like. Buy yourself some peace of mind by having an evacuation plan and organizing a disaster supply kit complete with water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, portable radio, cash, and whatever else you think you might need if you lose power for several days.
Living in Miami can present some challenges in the way of language, cost and climate, but if you find a nice place to live, you’ll call one of the most vibrant, action-packed cities on the globe home. Enjoy it!
