Urban Institute survey shows middle-income renters faced sharp rise in payment struggles

The short version

• One-fifth of surveyed Americans had trouble paying rent in 2025, according to an Urban Institute study.[Business Insider]
• Middle-income households saw the largest increase in rent payment struggles, rising from about 14% in 2024 to nearly 22% in 2025.[Business Insider · NPR]
• Richmond Federal Reserve analysis indicates middle-income Americans are currently more likely than lower earners to hold multiple jobs.[Business Insider]
• Homeowner mortgage affordability has remained stable over the past seven years.[NPR]

Key facts

• An Urban Institute report found that one-fifth of surveyed Americans experienced trouble paying their rent in 2025.[Business Insider]
• The share of middle-income renters reporting rent payment trouble grew from roughly 14.3% in 2024 to 21.6% in 2025.[Business Insider · NPR]
• Middle-income renters are defined by researchers as single-person households making $31,300 to $62,600 or three-person households making $53,300 to $106,600.[NPR]
• A Richmond Federal Reserve analysis found middle-income Americans are now more likely to hold multiple jobs than lower-earning counterparts.[Business Insider]
• Survey results show homeowners' mortgage affordability has remained consistent over the last seven years.[NPR]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• More and more middle-income Americans are struggling to make rentBusiness Insider metered
• It's getting harder to afford rent in the U.S., even for middle-income familiesNPR - Top News