Jacksonville, Fla.

Rank: 18
Rent drop: -2.2%
Q4 2008 rent change: -3.5%
Q4 2007 rent change: -1.3%
Effective rent: $780.90

Jacksonville, in northeast Florida, is the state's largest city and home to major corporations such as CSX railroad and Winn-Dixie Supermarkets. The city's foreclosure rate is among the nation's worst and its economy is sagging. The unemployment rate climbed to 7% in November 2008 compared to 4.1% in November 2007. The apartment vacancy rate jumped to 10.4% in the fourth quarter last year from 8.7% in the same period in 2007. Landlords on average are giving 3.7 weeks of rent concessions.