The Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO) has released its 2026 Industry Health Survey, providing one of the most comprehensive snapshots available of the U.S. rent-to-own industry.

The findings paint a clear picture: despite economic uncertainty, elevated interest rates, and continued pressure on household budgets, rent-to-own (RTO) remains a significant part of the American economy, serving millions of consumers and supporting thousands of jobs nationwide. The industry – including brick & mortar stores and Virtual Rent-to-Own (VRTO) – generated an estimated $11.8 billion in revenue during 2025^†, served more than 6.7 million American households^†, and continued to provide flexible access to essential household goods through both traditional storefront and Virtual Rent-to-Own channels.

The full Industry Health Survey is available to APRO members. Below are some of the most important findings.

Key Rent-to-Own Industry Statistics for 2025 #

According to APRO’s 2026 Industry Health Survey:

• The U.S. rent-to-own industry generated approximately $11.8 billion in annual revenue^†
• There were approximately 5,445 rent-to-own store locations nationwide
• The industry employed more than 34,000 full-time workers
• Dealers purchased approximately $1.9 billion in new Inventory
• Annual payroll exceeded $1.8 billion
• More than 2.1 million active customers were using rent-to-own at the end of 2025
• More than 6.7 million Americans used rent-to-own during the year^†
• Approximately 1 in every 20 American households^† used rent-to-own services during 2025

These numbers reinforce what many industry participants already know: rent-to-own remains a mainstream consumer transaction that serves millions of households every year.

Rent-to-Own Continues to Serve a Significant Portion of America #

One of the most striking findings from this year’s survey is the sheer number of households that interact with rent-to-own.

An estimated 6.7 million Americans used rent-to-own during 2025^†, representing approximately one out of every twenty U.S. households^†. This level of consumer engagement places rent-to-own among the most widely used alternative acquisition models in the country.

The average household using rent-to-own spent approximately $2,265 annually, or about $189 per month, to access furniture, appliances, electronics, computers, and other household necessities.

As consumer preferences continue shifting toward flexible access models, subscription services, and payment flexibility, these numbers suggest that rent-to-own remains highly relevant to modern consumers seeking alternatives to traditional financing.

Who Uses Rent-to-Own? #

The survey challenges many common misconceptions about rent-to-own customers.

While rent-to-own serves households across a broad range of income levels, the customer base is more diverse than many people assume. The largest customer age segments fall between ages 35 and 54, representing more than half of all customers.

Customer income distribution also demonstrates that rent-to-own serves a wide range of households:

• 17.9% report household incomes between $50,000 and $74,999
• 19.8% report household incomes between $75,000 and $99,999
• 17.1% report household incomes between $100,000 and $149,999

These findings reinforce a growing understanding within the industry: consumers choose rent-to-own for many reasons beyond income alone, including flexibility, convenience, temporary needs, life transitions, household budgeting preferences, and access to products without long-term debt obligations.

An Industry Built Around Service and Flexibility #

One of the defining characteristics of rent-to-own continues to be the service and consumer protections included within the transaction.

According to the survey:

• 96% of dealers provide free service, parts, and labor
• 91% provide loaner products during repairs
• 97% offer Reinstatement programs
• 99% provide early purchase options

These benefits are often overlooked in discussions about the industry but remain central to the rent-to-own value proposition.

Unlike many traditional retail transactions, rent-to-own typically includes ongoing product maintenance and repair support throughout the Rental Period, helping customers maintain access to essential household goods.

Rent-to-Own Supports American Jobs and Local Communities #

The economic impact of rent-to-own extends far beyond customer transactions.

The industry supports more than 34,000 full-time employees, including approximately 31,000 store-level employees and nearly 3,500 support staff positions. Annual wages paid to employees exceeded $1.8 billion during 2025.

These jobs exist in communities across the country and include management, sales, delivery, service, collections, logistics, technology, customer support, and administrative roles.

The industry’s investment in Inventory is equally significant. Dealers purchased approximately $1.9 billion in new Inventory during 2025, supporting manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and supply-chain partners throughout the economy.

Industry Confidence Remains Strong #

Despite ongoing economic headwinds, survey participants remain optimistic about the future.

Among dealers surveyed, approximately 96% reported being either somewhat or very optimistic about the future of the industry, and vendor optimism also reached 96%.

Dealer expansion plans remain active as well. Respondents reported plans to open stores, acquire locations, and invest in future growth throughout 2026. Vendor responses similarly reflected confidence in the industry’s direction and long-term viability.

This optimism reflects broader trends shaping the marketplace, including:

• Continued demand for payment flexibility
• Growth in Virtual Rent-to-Own models
• Consumer preference for access-based transactions
• Increasing demand for household products without traditional financing requirements
• Ongoing innovation in technology and customer experience

What the Numbers Tell Us About the Future of Rent-to-Own #

The 2026 Industry Health Survey reveals an industry that continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its core purpose: providing consumers with flexible access to the products they need.

While the number of traditional storefront locations has gradually declined over time, industry revenues remain strong and have consistently exceeded pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, Virtual Rent-to-Own and technology-enabled models continue expanding the industry’s reach and accessibility.

The data suggests that consumers continue to value flexibility, convenience, service, and choice. As the broader economy increasingly embraces subscription-based and access-oriented business models, rent-to-own remains well positioned as one of the original access-economy industries.

Download the Full 2026 Industry Health Survey #

The complete 2026 APRO Industry Health Survey contains detailed analysis of:

• Industry revenue and growth trends
• Customer demographics
• Employment and payroll data
• Inventory purchasing benchmarks
• Dealer and vendor sentiment
• Business outlook projections
• Historical year-over-year comparisons

APRO members can access the full report through the APRO website.

For policymakers, researchers, media, and industry stakeholders seeking accurate information about the modern rent-to-own industry, the Industry Health Survey remains one of the most comprehensive annual sources of industry data available.

^† Includes Virtual Rent-to-Own (VRTO)

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Frequently Asked Questions #