This statistic shows the least affordable off-campus rents in college towns in the United States in 2017. Stanford University was the second most expensive college town for off-campus rents with a market difference of 68.3 percent. This means that the average off-campus rent near Stanford university was 68.3 percent higher than the average market rent in that area.

This map uses a two-color thematic shading to emphasize where areas experience the least to the most affordable housing across the US. This web map is part of the How Affordable is the American Dream story map.

Esri’s Housing Affordability Index (HAI) is a powerful tool to analyze local real estate markets. Esri’s housing affordability index measures the financial ability of a typical household to purchase an existing home in an area. A HAI of 100 represents an area that on average has sufficient household income to qualify for a loan on a home valued at the median home price. An index greater than 100 suggests homes are easily afforded by the average area resident. A HAI less than 100 suggests that homes are less affordable. The housing affordability index is not applicable in areas with no households or in predominantly rental markets . Esri’s home value estimates cover owner-occupied homes only. For a full demographic analysis of US growth refer to Esri's Trending in 2017: The Selectivity of Growth.

The pop-up is configured to show the following 2017 demographics for each County and ZIP Code:

Total Households 2010-17 Annual Pop Change Median Age Percent Owner-Occupied Housing Units Median Household Income Median Home Value Housing Affordability Index Share of Income to Mortgage

Among the largest cities in the United States, renting an apartment was most affordable in Wichita, KS, in 2024. On average, renters in Wichita could rent an ***** square foot apartment for ***** U.S. dollars. The average apartment rent varies widely across different metros and states, with Hawaii, California, and Washington D.C. fetching the most expensive rents.

Inhabitants of the Ibizan municipality of Santa Eulalia del Río needed almost 60 years of household income to pay off their mortgage in 2018, making this coastal town the least affordable municipality to purchase a property in Spain. In contrast, the most affordable area to purchase a home in Spain that year was located in Andalusia. Furthermore, the central region of Castile-La Mancha appeared several times on the list of most affordable municipalities to rent in Spain.

The most expensive coastal areas Out of the five main islands that comprise the Balearic province, ***** are listed as the most expensive coastal areas of Spain. Ibiza and Formentera’s coasts ranked as the least affordable coasts in terms of property prices, with their average price per square meter amounting to nearly *** thousand euros. The Basque province of Gipuzkoa was the second most expensive coastal area of Spain, with an average price that reached approximately **** thousand euros per square meter as of the first quarter of 2019.

Spain: the rebirth of a broken property market After a long period of time in which Spain’s real estate prices increased sharply, the market was hit by the global financial crisis of 2007, making the Spanish property bubble collapse and damaging home value. According to the European Mortgage Federation (EMF), real estate prices in Spain initiated a solid recovery in 2015, reaching **** house price index points in 2018 from a lowest point of **** index points recorded in 2014. The property market has made great progress, but it is still far off the rest of its European counterparts, and it is positioned, in fact, at the bottom of the European list of the EMF’s house price index, which is led by Sweden at ***** index points. In 2016, 200 thousand euros could still buy a *** square-meter home on average in Spain, whereas it would only allow for a ** square-meter apartment in France.

Esri’s Housing Affordability Index (HAI) measures the financial ability of a typical household to purchase an existing home in an area. A HAI of 100 represents an area that on average has sufficient household income to qualify for a loan on a home valued at the median home price. An index greater than 100 suggests homes are easily afforded by the average area resident. A HAI less than 100 suggests that homes are less affordable. The housing affordability index is not applicable in areas with no households or in predominantly rental markets . Esri’s home value estimates cover owner-occupied homes only.

The housing affordability in Canada was the lowest in Vancouver and the higher in Edmonton in 2023. In the third quarter of the year, the ratio of homeownership costs to income in Canada was 62.5 percent. On the other hand, in Vancouver, the ratio amounted to 102.6 percent.

In 2024, households in California needed an hourly wage of over 47 U.S. dollars to afford the rent of a two-bedroom apartment. Massachusetts had the second-least affordable two-bedroom apartments, as a household would have to earn at least around 45 U.S. dollars per hour in order to afford rent payments. These figures are considerably higher than the average minimum wage in place in many states. There was no state in which a minimum wage worker could afford rent for the average two-bedroom apartment, if they only worked 40 hours a week. Where are the least affordable counties and metros? The least affordable rents were predominately in Californian counties and metropolitan areas in 2024. District of Columbia has one of the highest minimum wages in the country, which stood at 17 U.S. dollars per hour as of January 2024. Thus, the affordability of two-bedroom apartments highlights how disproportionately high housing costs are in the state.

This dataset contains multifamily affordable and market-rate housing sites (typically 5+ units) in the City of Detroit that have been built or rehabbed since 2015, or are currently under construction. Most sites are rental housing, though some are for sale. The data are collected from developers, other government departments and agencies, and proprietary data sources in order to track new multifamily and affordable housing construction and rehabilitation occurring in throughout the city, in service of the City's multifamily affordable housing goals. Data are compiled by various teams within the Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD), led by the Preservation Team. This dataset reflects HRD's current knowledge of multifamily units under construction in the city and will be updated as the department's knowledge changes. For more information about the City's multifamily affordable housing policies and goals, visit here.Affordability level for affordable units are measured by the percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) that a household could earn for that unit to be considered affordable for them. For example, a unit that rents at a 60% AMI threshold would be affordable to a household earning 60% or less of the median income for the area. Rent affordability is typically defined as housing costs consuming 30% or less of monthly income. Regulated housing programs are designed to serve households based on certain income benchmarks relative to AMI, and these income benchmarks vary based on household size. Detroit city's AMI levels are set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI Metro Fair Market Rent (FMR) area. For more information on AMI in Detroit, visit here.

Housing Rental Service Market Outlook

The global housing rental service market size was valued at $1.56 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $2.56 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% during the forecast period. This growth is primarily driven by increasing urbanization, rising population density in metropolitan areas, and the shift in consumer preference towards rental accommodations over homeownership. The demand for housing rental services is also fueled by the flexibility and cost-effectiveness they offer compared to buying properties, particularly in economically volatile environments.

One of the primary growth factors influencing the housing rental service market is the rapid urbanization happening globally. As more people move to urban centers in search of better employment opportunities, the demand for rental housing rises significantly. Urban areas often come with high property prices, making homeownership less feasible for many individuals. Consequently, the rental market becomes an attractive alternative, providing more affordable and flexible living arrangements. Additionally, the increasing number of single-person households and young professionals seeking mobility and convenience further propels the market.

Another significant driver is the growing popularity of the sharing economy, which has revolutionized the way people perceive and utilize property. Platforms like Airbnb have normalized short-term rentals, contributing to the market's growth. These platforms offer homeowners the opportunity to monetize vacant properties and provide renters with cost-effective and flexible options. This shift towards embracing short-term rentals is also supported by advancements in technology, which make it easier for users to find, book, and manage rental properties online, thus enhancing the overall user experience.

Economic factors also play a crucial role in the growth of the housing rental service market. In regions with high costs of living and economic uncertainty, renting becomes a more viable option compared to purchasing a home. Renting allows for better financial flexibility, avoiding the long-term commitment and financial burden that comes with a mortgage. Moreover, the trend towards remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to changes in housing preferences, where people are no longer constrained to live near their workplaces, allowing them to choose rental properties that better suit their lifestyle and budget.

From a regional perspective, North America and Europe are major markets for housing rental services due to the high rate of urbanization and a substantial population of expatriates and young professionals. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness significant growth, driven by rapid urbanization in countries like China and India. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are also expected to see moderate growth, supported by improving economic conditions and increased foreign investments in real estate. These regional dynamics highlight the varied but robust demand for rental housing services worldwide.

The luxury rental market is an intriguing segment within the broader housing rental service market. This niche caters to high-net-worth individuals and expatriates who seek premium accommodations with top-tier amenities and services. Luxury rentals often include features such as concierge services, private gyms, and high-end finishes, appealing to those who prioritize comfort and exclusivity. In urban centers, luxury apartments and penthouses are particularly popular, offering breathtaking views and proximity to cultural and business hubs. The demand for luxury rentals is also driven by the increasing number of affluent individuals and the global mobility of professionals who prefer renting over purchasing properties in foreign locations.

Type Analysis

The housing rental service market can be segmented by type into short-term rentals and long-term rentals. Short-term rentals, including vacation rentals and corporate housing, have gained significant traction due to the popularity of platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. These rentals are appealing to travelers and business professionals seeking temporary accommodation without the commitment of a long-term lease. The flexibility and convenience provided by short-term rentals, coupled with the ability to experience different neighborhoods and properties, have made them an attractive option for many consumers.&

Portugal, Canada, and the United States were the countries with the highest house price to income ratio in 2024. In all three countries, the index exceeded 130 index points, while the average for all OECD countries stood at 116.2 index points. The index measures the development of housing affordability and is calculated by dividing nominal house price by nominal disposable income per head, with 2015 set as a base year when the index amounted to 100. An index value of 120, for example, would mean that house price growth has outpaced income growth by 20 percent since 2015. How have house prices worldwide changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? House prices started to rise gradually after the global financial crisis (2007–2008), but this trend accelerated with the pandemic. The countries with advanced economies, which usually have mature housing markets, experienced stronger growth than countries with emerging economies. Real house price growth (accounting for inflation) peaked in 2022 and has since lost some of the gain. Although, many countries experienced a decline in house prices, the global house price index shows that property prices in 2023 were still substantially higher than before COVID-19. Renting vs. buying In the past, house prices have grown faster than rents. However, the home affordability has been declining notably, with a direct impact on rental prices. As people struggle to buy a property of their own, they often turn to rental accommodation. This has resulted in a growing demand for rental apartments and soaring rental prices.

In 2019, Hong Kong had the most expensive residential property market worldwide, with an average price per square foot of 1,987 U.S. dollars.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong, an autonomous special administrative region of China, has one of the least affordable housing markets in the world. A region with an estimated 7.49 million people, it has become increasingly difficult to purchase a home in Hong Kong. The spoken languages in Hong Kong are Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.

Hong Kong housing market

The housing market in Hong Kong has seen an increase in prices in the past couple years. There are two types of housing unit offers in Hong Kong, private and public. The number of public rental housing units has been consistently rising since 2008. Nearly half of the public rental apartments in Hong Kong as of March 2018 were between 30 and 39.9 square meters. Not only has the number of public rental housing units increased since 2008, so have the private ones. However, there are more private housing units than public ones in Hong Kong. Additionally, the Home Ownership Scheme exists in Hong Kong. It is a government sponsored program that subsidizes public housing in Hong Kong. First created in the late 1970s, it was instituted with two targets in mind. The first was to persuade the richer tenants of these apartments to leave so families in greater need could live there. The second was to allow these families to become home owners, since they did not have enough money to buy in the private sector. Under this program, the government sells apartments to qualified low-income tenants at prices below the market value.

This dataset contains existing multifamily rental sites in the City of Detroit with housing units that have been preserved as affordable since 2018 with assistance from the public sector.Over time, affordable units are at risk of falling off line, either due to obsolescence or conversion to market-rate rents. This dataset contains occupied multifamily rental housing sites (typically 5+ units) in the City of Detroit, including those that have units that have been preserved as affordable since 2015 through public funding, regulatory agreements, and other means of assistance from the public sector. Data are collected from developers, other governmental departments and agencies, and proprietary data sources by various teams within the Housing and Revitalization Department, led by the Preservation Team. Data have been tracked since 2018 in service of citywide housing preservation goals. This reflects HRD's current knowledge of multifamily units in the city and will be updated as the department's knowledge changes. For more information about the City's multifamily affordable housing policies and goals, visit here.Affordability level for affordable units are measured by the percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) that a household could earn for that unit to be considered affordable for them. For example, a unit that rents at a 60% AMI threshold would be affordable to a household earning 60% or less of the median income for the area. Rent affordability is typically defined as housing costs consuming 30% or less of monthly income. Regulated housing programs are designed to serve households based on certain income benchmarks relative to AMI, and these income benchmarks vary based on household size. Detroit city's AMI levels are set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI Metro Fair Market Rent (FMR) area. For more information on AMI in Detroit, visit here.

Australia’s real house price index fell to 119.9 in the fourth quarter of 2024. House prices fluctuated over the reported period compared to the base year of 2015, experiencing a sharp increase throughout 2021, with the country’s house price index peaking in the first quarter of 2022 at 131. Prospective homeowners priced out of the market Recent house price increases reflect the ongoing challenges of housing affordability in Australia. Property prices largely outpace income growth, reigniting discussions about whether the country is stuck in a property bubble, a topic that has been debated for over a decade. The country’s house price-to-income ratio hit 122.5 in the second quarter of 2024, the highest ratio recorded over the past five years, making it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder. Unaffordable rental conditions Australia’s rental market has also seen challenges, with the rent price index continuing to climb throughout 2024 into the first quarter of 2025, making the prospect of renting less appealing. As of March 2025, the average weekly house rent price in Sydney stood at 775 Australian dollars, the highest across the country’s major cities. Canberra, Darwin, and Perth were the next most expensive markets for house rents, while Hobart was the most affordable capital city for both house and unit rent prices.

Stockholm was the city with the most expensive apartments in Sweden in 2024. An apartment in Stockholm cost approximately 7,700 euros per square meter as of the first quarter of the year, while in Gothenburg, the average price was roughly 4,700 euros per square meter. Malmö was most affordable, with an average price of 2,750 euros per square meter. In Sweden, about 65 percent of the population lives in an owner-occupied home. How do prices in Sweden compare to the rest of Europe? The Swedish capital ranked among the 10 most expensive cities in Europe for buying an apartment in 2024. Becoming the owner of an apartment in Stockholm was slightly more affordable than in Amsterdam, but slightly more expensive than in Innsbruck, Frankfurt and Oslo. Is housing in Sweden affordable? The growth of house prices in Sweden slowed down in 2022, allowing incomes to catch up and affordability, as measured by the house price-to-income ratio, to improve. Generally, Sweden has a better housing affordability than most OECD countries that report the indicator.

Despite the pandemic's broader economic disruptions, low interest rates in 2020 initially fueled a housing market boom driven by work-from-home orders and a shift toward residential construction. This surge was a lifeline for builders amid economic turbulence. However, the tide turned in 2022 and 2023 as the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes curbed housing investments, dampening consumer enthusiasm and slowing residential construction activity. Low housing stock and rate cuts late in 2024 led to growth in single-family housing starts, boosting revenue. Single-family home development climbed in more affordable and less densely populated areas in 2024, but new multifamily developments have plummeted. Industry revenue has been climbing at a CAGR of 0.8% over the past five years to total an estimated $233.5 billion in 2025, including an estimated increase of 0.2% in 2025 alone. The initial boom in 2020 and 2021 led to one of the most significant expansions in home-building in recent memory, yet interest rate hikes soon tempered this growth. As smaller-scale developers struggled with escalating construction costs and regulatory hurdles, larger, financially robust companies like DR Horton, Lennar and PulteGroup managed to thrive and expand their operations. These larger companies maximized their market share, leveraging their resources to navigate the challenging economic climate and maintain momentum despite the pressures of rising material costs and labor shortages. These rising material costs and labor shortages have driven up purchase and wage costs, contributing to profit declines over the past five years. Expected interest rate cuts will boost housing developers. Developers will benefit from these favorable conditions, especially those who strategically invest in less densely populated areas to meet the growing appetite for affordable housing. Rate cuts will also provide relief to smaller housing developers more sensitive to interest rate fluctuations. Sustainability also looms on the horizon, with tax incentives and energy-efficient building standards encouraging developers to explore eco-friendly construction. Still, rising material costs and labor shortages will continue to stifle profit growth and increase housing prices. Larger companies will continue to gain market share, strategically developing homes near areas with strong job growth near new large manufacturing facilities. Industry revenue is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 1.4% to total an estimated $250.6 billion through the end of 2030.

US Manufactured Homes Market was valued at USD 25 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 35.55 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2026 to 2032.US Manufactured Homes Market DynamicsThe key market dynamics that are shaping the US manufactured homes market include:Key Market Drivers:Affordability Gap in Traditional Housing: The affordability gap in traditional housing is a major driver of the US manufactured housing market. Rising housing costs have made manufactured homes a more accessible and cost-effective option for homebuyers. According to the Manufactured Housing Institute, the price per square foot for manufactured homes is typically 50% lower than for site-built homes, making them more appealing as traditional housing becomes less affordable.

Vancouver was the most expensive Canadian city for one-bedroom apartment rentals, with a median rent of about 2,348 Canadian dollars in January 2024. Toronto followed behind with a median rent of 2,048 Canadian dollars.

In 2020, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara in California was the most expensive metropolitan area for both renting and owning a home in the United States. The median monthly housing costs for owners in 2020 were ***** U.S. dollars, whereas for renters they were ***** U.S. dollars. In all thirty metropolitan areas, renting was more affordable than buying. As of *************, the average rent for a three bedroom apartment was nearly ***** U.S. dollars.

The average resale house price in Canada was forecast to reach nearly ******* Canadian dollars in 2026, according to a January forecast. In 2024, house prices increased after falling for the first time since 2019. One of the reasons for the price correction was the notable drop in transaction activity. Housing transactions picked up in 2024 and are expected to continue to grow until 2026. British Columbia, which is the most expensive province for housing, is projected to see the average house price reach *** million Canadian dollars in 2026. Affordability in Vancouver Vancouver is the most populous city in British Columbia and is also infamously expensive for housing. In 2023, the city topped the ranking for least affordable housing market in Canada, with the average homeownership cost outweighing the average household income. There are a multitude of reasons for this, but most residents believe that foreigners investing in the market cause the high housing prices. Victoria housing market The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, where housing prices are also very high. The price of a single family home in Victoria's most expensive suburb, Oak Bay was *** million Canadian dollars in 2024.