06/10/2026
22.7 million renter households are now cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
That's nearly 1 in 2 renters.
Rent is often the largest expense in a household budget, which is why rising housing costs don't just affect where people live. They affect what people can save, spend, and invest in next.
If housing is taking up a larger share of your paycheck than you'd like, a few small moves can help:
• Review recurring subscriptions and monthly expenses every few months
• Build a dedicated emergency fund, even if it's just a few dollars at a time
• Check if your property offers resident benefits, financial tools, or rent reporting programs
• Look for local assistance programs before you're in a financial emergency
Being cost-burdened doesn't mean you're bad with money. For millions of renters, it's simply the reality of today's housing market.
Source: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, America's Rental Housing 2026.