SpareRoom survey finds US renters adapting lives around high housing costs

Survey reveals 25% of renters spend 70% of their take-home pay on rent; many are delaying medical care, retirement and major life plans

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The housing affordability crisis is no longer simply about paying a high rent, it is reshaping how Americans live, work, save, and plan for the future. A new survey of US renters in roommate situations by roommate site SpareRoom, finds many are making significant financial and personal sacrifices to keep a roof over their heads, from taking on debt and working additional jobs to delaying healthcare, homeownership, and retirement savings.

The survey also reveals the impact of high housing costs extends well beyond renters' bank accounts to mental wellbeing, while affordability pressures are influencing where people live, their housing quality, their relationships, and even when they seek medical care.

"High housing costs deeply affect everyday life," said Matt Hutchinson, director, SpareRoom. "When so much income is going toward keeping a roof over your head, there is less room for everything else: saving, planning, moving for a better opportunity or simply having the flexibility to deal with unexpected expenses. These findings show the very real trade-offs renters are forced to make every day."

Key findings: 

• In the past 12 months, 87% of renters said they've seen their rent increase

Housing costs are eroding Americans' financial security

• 56.6% of renters spend at least half of their take-home pay on rent; 25% spend 70% or more
• In the past year, 73.4% say they haven't been able to save any money, while 55% have dipped into savings to cover rent or bills
• 39.5% have stopped saving for retirement, and 31.1% have stopped saving for a down payment on a home
• Nearly half (49.6%) say they would prefer to live alone but can't afford to do so

High rent is changing where and how people live

• In the past year, 53.8% have moved because their rent became unaffordable
• 30.5% have moved to a less desirable neighborhood, while 14.5% have moved farther from work
• 45.1% say the quality of their housing has declined as a result of affordability pressures

The personal cost of housing extends beyond finances. Within the past year:

• 61.3% say housing costs have affected their mental wellbeing
• 32.6% say high housing costs have forced them to delay medical care
• 29.3% say housing costs have prevented them from dating

More than three quarters (76.1%) have turned to debt and other sources of help to make rent in the past year:

• 32.7% have used a credit card to help pay rent
• 33.3% have borrowed from friends or family
• 27.4% have taken on a second job
• 24.4% have used an overdraft
• 16.6% have used buy now, pay later (BNPL)
• 15.1% have taken out a payday loan
• 12.3% have used a salary advance or earned wage access

Data methodology

SpareRoom surveyed 669 U.S. renters in roommate situations in September 2026 about their experiences with housing affordability, including the impact of rent on their finances, housing choices, health, relationships and long-term plans.

About SpareRoom

SpareRoom is the #1 roommate finder and every three minutes someone finds a roommate on SpareRoom. SpareRoom is active across the UK & US and has so far helped more than 19 million people fill or find a room. spareroom.com