44% of Americans Struggle to Afford Housing Payments

Nearly half of U.S. homeowners and renters are struggling to afford their housing costs. 

That’s the key finding from a Redfin-commissioned survey, and the ripple effects are showing up in unexpected places. Some Americans are delaying major life milestones, moving back in with family, or even sharing a home with their ex to keep a roof over their heads.

This is more than a story about budgets tightening. It’s a reflection of how rising home prices, higher mortgage rates, and climbing rents are forcing people to make sacrifices that go far beyond skipping takeout or holding off on a vacation. 

Understanding these trends is essential for meeting today’s buyers and sellers where they are.

The Scope of the Struggle

According to Redfin, 44.4% of U.S. homeowners and renters say they struggle to afford their rent or mortgage payments. 

The survey was fielded to more than 4,000 respondents, with nearly 2,000 reporting difficulty affording housing. Even with incomes rising over the past several years, affordability challenges persist because home-sale prices are up more than 40% since before the pandemic, mortgage rates have roughly doubled. And asking rents have climbed more than 22%.

Family Sacrifices to Afford Housing

When asked what changes they’ve made to keep up with monthly payments, many struggling households pointed to family-related sacrifices. These decisions, while less common than cutting restaurant spending or vacations, carry far greater weight.

• 6.4% moved in with parents
• 6.2% moved in with other family members
• 5.7% moved in with roommates
• 5.3% moved in with a romantic partner
• 4.6% gave up their pet(s)
• 4.4% gave up or reduced college savings for their kids
• 4.0% decided against or delayed having a child
• 3.0% enrolled their child(ren) in a low-rated school
• 2.8% moved in with grown children
• 2.8% postponed getting a divorce or separation

As one Redfin Premier agent in Denver pointed out, two incomes are almost always required to purchase a home in today’s market. Some buyers are even looking at co-owning with friends or roommates as a way to build equity, rather than renting.

Lifestyle Cutbacks Are More Common

The majority of Americans who struggle with housing are making smaller, lifestyle-focused changes. These may be less dramatic than altering family plans, but they still speak to the trade-offs people face to stay in their homes.

• 41% ate out at restaurants less often
• 34.6% took no or fewer vacations
• 19.8% worked additional hours or shifts
• 19.5% borrowed money from friends or family with the intent to pay back
• 16.6% sold belongings
• 16% received money from friends or family with no repayment expected
• 15.2% skipped meals completely
• 15.1% worked an extra regular job
• 14.8% delayed or skipped medical treatment
• 13.4% worked a side hustle such as rideshare or food delivery
• 13.2% dipped into retirement savings

While these adjustments may not disrupt family structure in the same way, they highlight just how far households are stretching to balance housing costs against everyday expenses.

The Bigger Picture

The sacrifices people are making underscore the depth of today’s affordability crisis. Housing is not just expensive; it’s reshaping how Americans live, whom they live with, and when they make life-altering decisions like starting a family or separating from a partner. 

Redfin’s data is an important reminder that affordability is not only a financial challenge, but also an emotional and relational one.

Understanding these realities can help you better connect with your clients. Whether working with first-time buyers who are pooling resources with family or move-up buyers worried about higher payments, the human side of these numbers matters. 

Sellers planning their next purchase also need to know how affordability pressures will shape demand in their market. 

Acknowledging these sacrifices in your conversations will better position you to earn trust and provide meaningful guidance.