1041 ET - About 49% of U.S. residents struggle to afford their regular rent or mortgage payments, according to Redfin. Americans are more likely to struggle to make housing payments than they were last spring. Last May, 44% of U.S. residents said they struggled to afford their mortgage or rent payment, compared with nearly half today. Affordable housing has become difficult because housing costs are high. The median U.S. home-sale price and average mortgage rates were historically high in November, though they weren't at record highs. Homebuyers need to earn $111,000 per year to afford the typical U.S. home, about $25,000 more than the median household income. About 39% of Americans who struggle to afford housing are eating out less often, making this the most common sacrifice. (chris.wack@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 24, 2026 10:41 ET (15:41 GMT)

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