A new survey commissioned by Redfin indicates that approximately half of U.

S. residents, specifically 49%, face difficulties in affording their regular rent or mortgage payments, with Gen Z disproportionately impacted.\n\nThe survey, conducted by Ipsos in November 2025 and involving 4,000 U.

S. residents, reveals that 67% of Gen Zers struggle with housing payments. This compares to 53% of millennials, 54% of Gen Xers, and 36% of baby boomers. Redfin defines struggling with housing payments as respondents selecting options indicating regular or occasional difficulty. The current findings reflect an increase from a comparable Redfin survey in May 2025, where 44% of U.

S. residents reported similar struggles.\n\nThe elevated struggle is attributed to high housing costs. In November, when the survey was fielded, the median U.

S. home-sale price and average mortgage rates were historically high, though not at record peaks. To afford the typical U.

S. home, buyers require an annual income of $111,000, which is approximately $25,000 more than the median household income.\n\nGen Zers face particular challenges as they are often in earlier stages of their careers, with less time to accumulate savings for down payments or monthly housing expenses. Desiree Bourgeois, a Redfin Premier agent in Detroit, noted, “Buyers have been laying low for the last year or so because housing costs are high and the economy is uncertain. Young people are particularly concerned about job security and tariffs, and how those things will impact their pocketbooks and ability to make their housing payments.” She added that very few first-time buyers are currently in the market due to high costs.\n\nAmericans who struggle to afford housing often make significant sacrifices. Over one in three (39%) reduce dining out, while 34% take fewer or no vacations. Additionally, 17% work extra hours, and 16% sell belongings. More severe sacrifices include 15% skipping meals, 14% delaying medical treatments, 4% delaying having children, and 4% giving up pets.\n\nFor Gen Zers specifically, 35% report reducing restaurant meals, 18% skip meals, 20% sell belongings, 18% work a side hustle, and 15% move in with their parents to manage housing costs. These challenges also impact homeownership rates, with only 27.1% of Gen Zers owning their homes, compared to over half of millennials and more than 70% of Gen Xers and baby boomers.\n\nDespite current difficulties, there are some positive indicators. Homeownership rates for Gen Z and millennials saw a slight increase in 2025, suggesting marginal improvements in affordability. Redfin anticipates further affordability enhancements in the coming year, with mortgage rates expected to stabilize closer to 6% rather than 7%, home-price growth moderating, and wages increasing at a faster pace than housing costs.