Renters Are Using a Range of Strategies to Cope with Rising Prices

Renters Are Using a Range of Strategies to Cope with Rising Prices

Notes: Only the most frequently used coping strategies are shown.

Source: JCHS tabulations of US Census Bureau, Household Pulse Surveys, July–December 2022.

As we noted in a previous blog, renters are left with a small and declining amount of income after paying their rent and utilities each month. And even before the pandemic, lower-income renter households who were severely burdened by housing costs spent less on food and healthcare than their unburdened counterparts. These tradeoffs have likely worsened with increased pressure due to rising rents and inflation. Continued support for the lowest-income renter households in the form of rental subsidies and income supplements will be crucial to ensure these households can meet a comfortable standard of living