Chicago fundamentals remained on a positive track during the first four months of 2023, although nationwide economic challenges contributed to a slowdown across multiple metrics<\/strong><\/a>. Rent growth clocked in at 0.5% on a trailing three-month basis through April, to $1,835. Meanwhile, the national average was up 0.2%, to $1,709. Demand remained healthy, however, with overall occupancy at 95.2%, 20 basis points above the U.S. average. Unemployment in the metro stood at 4.1% as of March, 60 basis points above the national figure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over a 12-month period ending in February,<\/p>\n