3 in 5 Gen Z renters are rent burdened, but Millennials had it worse

Rhea-AI Summary

Nearly half of U.S. renter households are rent burdened, with Gen Z renters (ages 18-25) facing significant challenges. According to Zillow and StreetEasy's analysis of the 2022 ACS, 58.6% of Gen Z renters nationwide spend more than 30% of their income on housing. In 21 of the 30 largest U.S. metros, this share is even higher, with cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento seeing nearly three-quarters of Gen Z renters rent burdened. Comparatively, 60.2% of Millennials were rent burdened at the same age in 2012. Rent burden among young adults has seen a decline in cities like Austin but an increase in Houston. Zillow and StreetEasy are working to reduce upfront rental costs and provide tools to help renters manage affordability.

Positive

• In 17 of the country's 30 largest metros, Millennials in 2012 were more likely to experience rent burden than Gen Z renters in 2022.
• Austin saw a 9.5% decline in the share of rent burdened young adults over the past decade.

Negative

• 58.6% of Gen Z renters nationwide are rent burdened.
• In 21 of the country's 30 largest metros, more than 60% of Gen Z renters are rent burdened.
• Houston saw an 11.9% increase in the share of rent burdened young adults over the past decade.
• The trend of declining rent burden reversed in recent years due to surging rental demand and undersupply.

Insights

Housing Market Analyst

The data reveals a concerning trend in rental affordability for young adults, with 58.6% of Gen Z renters nationwide being rent-burdened. This is a slight improvement from Millennials a decade ago (60.2%), but still represents a significant financial strain.

Key insights:

• In 21 of 30 major metros, over 60% of Gen Z renters are rent-burdened
• Highest burden in San Diego (73.4%), Los Angeles (71.7%) and Sacramento (71%)
• Austin saw the largest improvement (-9.5%), while Houston worsened (11.9%)
• Median gross annual income for Gen Z ranges from $34,614 (Cincinnati) to $70,000 (San Francisco)

This widespread rent burden could have long-term implications for Gen Z's financial health, potentially delaying major life milestones and wealth accumulation. The situation calls for policy interventions and innovative solutions to address housing affordability in major job markets.

Urban Economics Expert

The persistent high levels of rent burden among young adults in major metros highlight a structural issue in urban housing markets. Despite slight improvements since the Millennial experience, the problem remains acute, particularly in high-cost coastal cities.

Factors contributing to this trend include:

• Continued urbanization and job concentration in major cities
• Lagging housing supply in high-demand areas
• Stagnant wage growth relative to housing costs
• Potential mismatch between entry-level salaries and local living costs

The variation across cities (e.g., Austin's improvement vs. Houston's decline) suggests local policies and economic conditions play a significant role. This data underscores the need for targeted urban planning, zoning reforms and affordable housing initiatives to ensure economic vitality and diversity in major metropolitan areas.

More than half of Gen Z renters are rent burdened in each of the country's 30 largest metros

• 58.6% of Gen Z renters nationwide are rent burdened, though 60.2% of Millennials experienced rent burden at the same age
• In more than half of the 30 largest U.S. metros, Millennials in 2012 were more likely to be rent burdened than Gen Z renters at the same age in 2022
• Over the past decade, rent burden for young adults has decreased the most in Austin and increased the most in Houston

SEATTLE, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half of all U.S. renter households are burdened by rent costs, with Gen Z renters shouldering the heaviest load, a new analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) by Zillow® and its New York City brand StreetEasy® shows. Across the country, three in five Gen Z renters (ages 18-25) spend more than 30% of income on housing expenses. In 21 of the country's 30 largest metros, that share is even higher. In San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, for example, nearly three-quarters of Gen Z renters are rent burdened.

The picture today for Gen Z-ers is similar to –though slightly improved from – Millennials' experience a decade before. In 2012, 60.2% of Millennials nationwide spent more than 30% of their income on rent. Rent burden among young adults peaked at 62% in 2011, but steadily declined to 55% by 2019. However, the trend reversed in recent years as surging rental demand following the pandemic – coupled with decades of undersupply – led to sharp rent increases across the country.

"The experience of struggling to pay rent on an entry level salary is familiar to so many of us that it's almost become normalized in our society," said StreetEasy Senior Economist Kenny Lee. "But this is something that should not be normal. Rent burden makes it a struggle for these young adults to afford the other expenses in their lives – things like student loans and medical payments. It's deeply damaging to their ability to save for future life goals, like one day owning a home."

In 17 of the country's 30 largest metros, Millennials in 2012 were more likely to experience rent burden than Gen Z renters in 2022. However, the improvement has been modest. In each of those 30 metros, at least half of Gen Z renters are rent burdened. Austin saw the largest decline in the share of rent burdened young adults through the past decade (-9.5%), while Houston saw the most dramatic increase (11.9%).

"While these large metropolitan areas may be known to have more expensive housing, we have to recognize that they're also where the jobs are," said Zillow Rental Trends Expert Emily McDonald. "For many Gen Z renters, choosing to live in a less expensive city may come at the expense of their career, which is why it's so necessary we find ways to make living in these areas more affordable for young adults."

Zillow and StreetEasy tools
Zillow and StreetEasy have a number of tools that help renters with affordability and access.

The upfront costs of finding a place to rent can add up, with Zillow research showing those costs tend to be higher for renters of color. In New York City, upfront costs average almost $10,500, with broker fees often the largest expense. Lowering upfront rental costs will give all New Yorkers expanded choices in the rental market, which is one of the reasons Zillow and StreetEasy are advocating for broker fee reform.

For all Zillow rental listings, Zillow includes a costs & fees breakdown to help renters get a better idea of the affordability picture by highlighting certain one-time costs, such as application fees and security deposits, as well as recurring costs, such as parking. While the typical renter nationally pays $60 in application fees across all the rentals they apply for, Zillow's rental application allows renters to apply to an unlimited number of participating rentals on Zillow for 30 days for a flat fee of $35.

Zillow rental listings also include rooms for rent — individual rooms in units or homes — bringing more affordable rentals online. Renters using Zillow can include "room" listings in their searches alongside traditional "entire place" options.

Metro Area*	Total Gen Z Renter Households (2022)	Gen Z Median Gross Annual Income (2022)	Gen Z Median Gross Rent (2022)	Share of Rent- Burdened Gen Z (2022)	Share of Rent- Burdened Millennials (2012)
United States	5,233,773	$42,000	$1,415	58.6 %	60.2 %
San Diego, CA	50,018	$55,000	$2,148	73.4 %	66.9 %
Los Angeles, CA	135,094	$58,000	$2,050	71.7 %	71.2 %
Sacramento, CA	31,669	$51,708	$1,835	71.0 %	67.9 %
Orlando, FL	43,727	$46,848	$1,666	68.9 %	74.9 %
Miami, FL	51,910	$50,000	$1,808	67.7 %	64.8 %
Tampa, FL	44,256	$47,679	$1,530	67.1 %	68.4 %
Houston, TX	122,792	$38,457	$1,225	66.2 %	54.3 %
New York City**	122,119	$63,257	$2,190	65.6 %	67.0 %
San Antonio, TX	45,548	$37,100	$1,215	65.5 %	58.5 %
Washington, DC	80,812	$62,501	$1,950	64.4 %	59.6 %
San Francisco, CA	50,337	$70,000	$2,333	63.5 %	64.2 %
Atlanta, GA	79,916	$55,000	$1,658	62.8 %	61.9 %
Riverside, CA	33,284	$54,000	$1,696	62.0 %	66.7 %
Minneapolis, MN	65,518	$42,090	$1,370	61.8 %	56.2 %
Denver, CO	53,909	$60,000	$1,730	61.1 %	54.6 %
Baltimore, MD	34,553	$47,382	$1,480	61.0 %	61.4 %
Dallas, TX	143,772	$48,000	$1,444	60.4 %	55.1 %
Cincinnati, OH	42,134	$34,614	$1,041	60.4 %	59.8 %
Boston, MA	73,321	$67,000	$2,130	59.7 %	58.2 %
Austin, TX	72,975	$45,000	$1,415	59.6 %	69.2 %
Charlotte, NC	47,708	$46,288	$1,358	59.6 %	63.0 %
Philadelphia, PA	84,624	$46,947	$1,420	58.1 %	61.1 %
Seattle, WA	81,601	$65,048	$1,846	58.0 %	59.7 %
Portland, OR	38,752	$58,006	$1,620	57.1 %	61.7 %
Detroit, MI	44,249	$45,015	$1,180	57.1 %	58.4 %
Chicago, IL	130,472	$47,513	$1,377	56.9 %	59.5 %
Phoenix, AZ	88,933	$59,190	$1,623	55.0 %	64.2 %
Kansas City, MO	47,972	$41,000	$1,153	52.8 %	53.3 %
St. Louis, MO	46,325	$38,431	$1,020	50.4 %	57.8 %
Pittsburgh, PA	33,760	$40,000	$1,080	49.8 %	55.4 %

*	Metro areas ordered by the share of rent-burdened adult Gen Z households
**	Includes only New York City's five boroughs

About Zillow Group
Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated partners and agents, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences. StreetEasy is an assumed name of Zillow, Inc. which has a real estate brokerage license in all 50 states and D.C.

Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy®, HotPads®, ShowingTime+℠, Spruce® and Follow Up Boss®.

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2023 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

 

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SOURCE Zillow

FAQ

What percentage of Gen Z renters are rent burdened nationwide in 2022?

58.6% of Gen Z renters nationwide are rent burdened in 2022.

How does the rent burden of Gen Z renters in 2022 compare to Millennials in 2012?

60.2% of Millennials were rent burdened at the same age in 2012, compared to 58.6% of Gen Z renters in 2022.

Which U.S. metros have the highest share of rent burdened Gen Z renters?

San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento have nearly three-quarters of Gen Z renters rent burdened.

Which city saw the largest decline in rent burden among young adults over the past decade?

Austin saw a 9.5% decline in the share of rent burdened young adults over the past decade.

Which city experienced the most significant increase in rent burden among young adults?

Houston saw an 11.9% increase in the share of rent burdened young adults over the past decade.