Renters are feeling the squeeze. It’s changing how they live, work and plan for the future, according to Zumper’s 2025 Annual Rent Report & Renter Survey. The report, based on Zumper’s survey of U.S. renters, finds that high housing costs, economic uncertainty and shifting cultural expectations are forcing renters to adapt — sometimes out of necessity, sometimes by choice.
Nearly 60% of renters are rent-burdened, spending an average of 40% of their income on housing, well above the 28% they consider a fair amount. The financial strain is compounded by broader economic worries. Eighty-two percent of survey respondents said they are unsure about the economy and two-thirds believe the U.S. is in a recession.
The pressure is felt most acutely by Millennials, who, despite being in their prime earning years, report the lowest job security of any generation. Concerns about layoffs, affordability and economic volatility are shaping both career and housing decisions.
Homeownership is no longer the default goal. Only 66% of renters see buying a home as part of their long-term plans, down from 73% in 2021. Skyrocketing home prices, high mortgage rates and lifestyle preferences are pushing many to embrace long-term renting as a practical and sometimes preferred alternative.
Geography is also shifting. Renters are flocking to major employment hubs, with Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco and Charlotte among the top relocation destinations in 2025. The era of remote work is receding, with just 12% of renters working fully from home, roughly half the rate seen in the early post-pandemic years.
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in how renters find housing. Nearly 10% now use AI tools like ChatGPT during their rental search, rising to 15% in major coastal cities, for tasks ranging from scheduling tours to answering questions. Zumper notes that technology adoption is helping renters navigate competitive markets more efficiently than ever.
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