Unaffordable Rents Drive—and Prevent—Moves

July 18, 2026 - 03:15

A new survey from the National Low Income Housing Coalition reveals a painful contradiction in the rental market: high costs are both the main reason people try to move and the very thing that stops them from doing so. The report, which marks the first national renter survey from the organization, found that a majority of low-income renters are stuck in a cycle where rising rents force them to look for cheaper options, but they cannot afford the deposits, application fees, or first month's rent required to actually relocate.

The survey highlights that many renters spend more than half their income on housing, leaving little room for savings or unexpected expenses. When landlords raise rents, these tenants often scramble to find a new place, only to discover that comparable units in the same area are just as expensive or worse. Some respondents reported moving multiple times in a single year, each time draining their limited resources. Others said they simply stopped looking because the search felt hopeless.

This dynamic creates a form of involuntary stability. People stay in units that are too small, poorly maintained, or unsafe because the cost of leaving is too high. The report also notes that renters of color and households with children are disproportionately affected. Without a broader policy response, experts warn that the situation will only deepen as wages fail to keep pace with housing costs. The survey's authors call for expanded rental assistance and stronger tenant protections as a starting point.