What Are the Key 2026 Rental Market Trends Shaping Global Talent Mobility?

Dwellworks and Dwellworks Living provide comprehensive rental market updates for global mobility and business travel decision makers to make informed accommodations choices for temporary and long-term living in key destinations across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas. Our Q1 market reports combine macro-level data with local expertise, offering a strategic advantage to global mobility and travel professionals responsible for updating policies, practices, and reporting in line with the latest trends and expectations.

What Rental Market Trends Could Impact Global Talent Mobility in 2026?

This blog is being posted at a pivotal moment in early 2026, as countries in North America and Europe address the implications of ongoing changes in global politics and economics driven by the policies of the second Trump administration.

While the prevailing data point to mostly positive economic indicators, like manageable inflation numbers and low unemployment in many countries, corporate uncertainty about what happens next translates into a continued cautious approach to certain kinds of investments, specifically hiring and deploying talent. 

From the perspective of our subject matter expertise in housing and destination services for corporate relocation and business travel, long term rental housing availability is challenging but manageable in most European markets, and more so in much of the US, where new housing developments have created more options. As always, markets can be challenging to understand, given the difference in dynamics between broad metropolitan area trends and the specifics of particular neighborhoods. Discerning facts compared to high level AI or internet searches are the specific expertise of the local Consultants at Dwellworks and Dwellworks Living. In this blog, we’ve spotlighted several key trends and influences from our experts impacting rental accommodations in key global business destinations in early 2026.

1. Europe: Demand for Skilled Foreign Labor Expands, but Housing is in Short Supply. The EU continues to promote its streamlined immigration administration for the key talent needed to replace the region’s aging workforce. Many skilled workers, however, arrive in locations with 0-2% rental vacancy rates and face landlords who have many options in their tenant choices. Apartments in prime locations continue to attract multiple, sometimes hundreds, of applicants. Local expertise and market knowledge are crucial to scheduling property showings and securing a lease in markets from Amsterdam to Zurich. Renters use AI queries and internet searches to find housing, only to learn those options may already be booked or are leads for other bookings. Our Consultants advise relocating employees to be flexible and ready to act when verified, suitable, and affordable apartments are sourced. 
    
2. Europe: A Growing Trend for Expanded Renters' Rights Legislation. The Renters’ Rights Act is now law in England, bringing expanded protections to renters in the form of no arbitrary landlord evictions, continuity of rental terms, fixed annual rent increases, no bidding wars over the listed price for a rental unit, and more. (See our blog here.) These and other protections are part of a trend in markets that include Dublin, Luxembourg City, multiple German cities, and other locations. While these laws provide clear protections for tenants, it is yet to be determined the impact on supply as landlords assess their additional costs and compliance obligations, and whether to remain in the market. 
    
3. US: Surging Activity in the Midwest and New Regulations in New York City: Early 2026 rental trends underscore the variance between metro level data and market conditions in the neighborhoods most sought by relocating professionals. In several U.S. markets, expanded development has lifted overall vacancy—double digit in places like Houston and Dallas—helping temper rents. Yet even in high availability metros, competition and pricing remain elevated in select submarkets favored for proximity, amenities, and walkability. Key Midwestern markets, including St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Detroit are seeing greater activity, with prices on the rise. Less availability and higher prices are the norm in New York City, Chicago, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Portland. New York City is also adopting new rental regulations in support of affordability. (See our profile of Mayor Mamdani’s programs here.) 
    
4. Mexico and Canada: New Market Dynamics Impact Availability and Price: Mexico City continues to expand as a global knowledge worker destination, ticking lifestyle boxes for many expatriates, though the cost of rentals in preferred neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma, and Polanco is comparable to that of many US cities. Apartments are often booked within hours of listing and since landlords know they have multiple potential tenants for their listings, they require proof of ability of pay, including employer bonds and guarantees. Canada, which reversed its immigration-friendly policies in 2024, has also had a boom in property development due to government incentives. Vacancy rates are higher across the country, though rents in preferred locations in Toronto and Vancouver continue to be higher than national averages. 
     
5. Expertise is Key in Challenging Rental Markets: No matter the vacancy rate in the broader market, preferred properties in choice locations are always quickly booked or leased. The 2500 local Destination Consultants of Dwellworks and the rapid response to housing requests powered by epic® and the 80,000 vetted and professionally managed properties in our Dwellworks Living portfolio mean we can efficiently source well-matched solutions for temporary living and long-term rental needs around the world. Whether navigating the regulatory environment of Amsterdam, finding temporary living options in Dubai, or delivering up-to-the-minute updates on the ever-changing New York City and London rental markets, a successful housing and settling-in experience depends on expert local navigation. AI-enabled services are making our processes faster and more efficient, while our on-the-ground resources remain the key to securing solutions in fast-moving markets. 

Partnering for Seamless Housing Services & Support at Global Scale

With unmatched destination services expertise in hundreds of cities across 16 countries and worldwide solutions for temporary living, we provide the industry’s most reliable and actionable insights as well as access to housing that meets employee expectations and corporate budgets. Our knowledge and services empower businesses and their employees to make confident housing decisions.

Under competitive rental market conditions, we guide our customers to understand their options and make informed choices quickly to ensure a property is secured that offers the greatest comfort and service support, whether the stay is for 7+ days of business travel or a multi-year relocation assignment. 

Our Q4 reports for Temporary Living cover:

• Rental Market Trends in North America and Europe
• Temporary Accommodations Trends in Key Markets in APAC, EMEA, and the Americas
• Analysis of Key Factors Impacting Global Talent Mobility

Download Market Reports

For more information on Dwellworks Living and global corporate housing solutions, contact us today:

Current clients - please contact your Dwellworks Living Client Services Director

Prospective clients - contact [email protected]

Connect with us at DwellworksLiving.com today to stay informed about the fast-moving global temporary living / furnished accommodations landscape.

About Dwellworks and Dwellworks Living

Dwellworks is the world’s leading provider of accommodation and acclimation support services for the mobile workforce and business travelers. We specialize in global destination services, corporate housing, and intercultural training, as well as property management and real estate services in key US markets.

Our clients trust us to deliver personalized high-quality service experiences, powered by innovative technology and supported by our extensive local presence in hundreds of locations worldwide. Through our brands Dwellworks, Dwellworks Living, and Station Cities, we offer a comprehensive range of service options, global reach, local expertise, and passion for the customer service experience.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, we continuously pursue innovation and operational efficiency and invest in meeting rigorous global compliance standards for data security, financial management, and sustainability. Whether supporting corporate travel or relocation, domestically or around the world, we work in partnership with our clients to ensure talented employees and their families transition smoothly and thrive in their new locations.

For more information, please visit our company brands at Dwellworks.com, DwellworksLiving.com, and StationCities.com.