On October 1, 2026, the U.S. Census Bureau released its August construction-spending report. Private residential spending was estimated at $882.3 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, 1.1% above revised July.
The monthly change carries a ±1.3 percentage-point, 90% confidence interval. Because that interval includes zero, Census cannot conclude that the actual change was different from zero. The apparent increase is statistically uncertain.
What rental owners should watch
This national measure includes residential improvements and describes an annualized spending pace. It does not measure the number of rental homes ready for tenants. Assessing nearby rental competition requires local completion and leasing evidence.
- Check the completion schedules of projects near your property.
- Refresh contractor quotes before committing to a major renovation.
- Compare competing rental listings, asking rents and available lease terms locally.
Source and data period
U.S. Census Bureau, release CB26-158, published October 1, 2026; data period: August 2026. The current estimate is preliminary and may be revised. https://www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/release.pdf
