The National Average ORA® Score provides comparison context.
It is a national average benchmark of resident experience across apartment communities evaluated during a specific month.
Because ORA® updates monthly, the benchmark can change over time.
Why The National Average Benchmark Matters
A score by itself lacks context.
Comparing a community's ORA® Score to the National Average ORA® Score benchmark for the same month and year helps you understand relative positioning.
- If a community scores above the benchmark, it reflects stronger overall resident experience signals relative to broader patterns.
- If a community scores near the benchmark, it may still be a strong fit depending on priorities.
- If a community scores below the benchmark, it may reflect repeated patterns worth verifying before signing.
How To Use The National Average ORA® Score Benchmark
Always compare scores from the same month and year.
Resident experience changes over time, and the benchmark provides time-based context for comparison.
The benchmark is a context tool, not a guarantee of fit.
Formal Definition: The ORA® Score
The ORA® Score is a 0–100, monthly-updated, unbiased resident experience metric for an apartment community.
A strong ORA® Score indicates avoidance of sustained negative reviews in critical resident experience categories within the last 6–12 months, suggesting a more predictable resident experience relative to the National Average ORA® Score benchmark.
Even strong scores can have opportunity areas worth verifying.
A monthly-updated resident experience score based on real renter feedback, designed to help renters compare apartment communities with more confidence.
FAQs
- Does the National Average ORA® Score stay the same?
- No. It can shift monthly as resident experience patterns change.
- Is the National Average ORA® Score a grading curve?
- No. It is a comparison reference point.
- Will ORA® show the National Average number here?
- This page explains what the benchmark means and how to use it. When a specific monthly National Average number is published, it should be referenced with a month and year for clear context. The ORA app compares every apartment community to the national average.