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More renters report trouble paying rent and utilities in 2025

Urban Institute data show one in five working-age renters missed or paid rent late in 2025, up from 16.5% in 2024.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Residential

HousingWire reports that an Urban Institute analysis found renters are facing higher housing affordability pressure in 2025, with a record share of working-age renters missing full rent payments or paying them late.

According to the analysis using the Urban Institute’s Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey, 20% of working-age renters missed or were late on rent in 2025, the highest since the measure began being tracked, up from 16.5% in 2024.

Middle-income renters saw the steepest rise, with the share reporting rent payment problems increasing from 14.3% to 21.6% in 2025, while lower-income renters remained the most likely to struggle, at 27.8%.

The report also found utility payment challenges, with 20.7% of working-age renters saying they could not pay the full amount of heating and electricity bills in 2025, and 8.9% of renters ages 65 and older reporting rent difficulty.

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