one of the strongest-performing rental markets in the U.S.<\/strong><\/a> throughout the past decade, with slow development and rapidly rising employment and population driving rent performance. However, marketwide and seasonal slowdowns have dampened growth, as rents were down 0.5% on a trailing three-month basis as of January, slightly above the U.S. figure, which was at 0.3%. Meanwhile, the overall average rate in the Inland Empire was $2,088, nearly $400 higher than the U.S. average but significantly more affordable than other Southern California areas.<\/p>\n