One in Five Americans Spend Half Their Income or More on Housing, CNBC Survey Finds

Housing is eating the household budget. The CNBC and SurveyMonkey Quarterly Money Survey for October 2026 finds that one in five Americans who rent or hold a mortgage (20%) now spend half or more of their pre-tax income on housing, while about half (49%) spend between 25% and 49%. Only three in ten spend less than 25%.

That leaves rent or mortgage payments ranking among the biggest financial stressors in American life. Groceries (cited by 54%) and gas and transportation (51%) put the greatest strain on budgets, but housing followed at 44% — and for renters it was the single largest stressor of all, named by 64%.

Renters feel the squeeze most

Sentiment about housing costs is broadly pessimistic. Among renters and homeowners with a mortgage, only 28% described their housing costs as comfortable or manageable; the other 72% are struggling to some degree. Renters were far more likely than mortgage holders to say they are struggling (25% versus 4%).

Homeowners have not escaped rising costs either: 84% of mortgage holders said their costs — including taxes, insurance and interest — have risen over the last five years, with 29% reporting significant increases.

The ownership dream is fading for many

The vast majority of renters (87%) still want to own a home, but confidence is thin. Only 23% are certain they will be able to buy; 29% think they might one day; and 34% want to own but believe they will never be able to afford it — a feeling shared almost equally by younger and older Americans.

Overall, 73% of Americans say buying a home has become more difficult in the last five years, and 71% say prices in their area rose over the past year. For households doing the monthly maths in October 2026, the survey’s message is stark: the roof overhead is now the line item everything else must fit around.

Source: CNBC / SurveyMonkey