Most people don’t know the real cost of renting, but if you do, you can negotiate a lower rent or find a cheaper place to live. By knowing the average rent in your area, you can also know if you’re being overcharged for your current rent. Before you sign a lease for a new rental property, it’s a good idea to find out how much similar rental properties in the area are charging. If you can find a landlord who is charging below average rent, you might be able to negotiate even lower rent. It never hurts to try.