Even with the U.S. residential vacancy rate at 6.5% in 2023, 1.6 million renter households faced extreme housing cost burden in 2022, paying at least 50% of income for rent. Homelessness also affected 7.3% of U.S. households that year, and 49% of the unhoused in the PIT count were unsheltered.
Key Takeaways
- 1.6 million renter households faced “extreme housing cost burden” (paying 50%+ of income for rent) in 2022
- 7.3% of U.S. households experienced “homelessness” at some point in 2022 (HUD PIT methodology summary figure)
- 49% of unhoused people in the 2022 PIT count were unsheltered
- 1.16 million housing starts were reported in the U.S. in 2019 (annual total)
- US homeownership rate was 65.5% in Q1 2024 (housing tenure as published by HUD/FHA housing market indicators)
- The median existing-home price was $350,300 in 2021 (annual median per NAR)
- In 2023, U.S. building permits (housing units) were 1.403 million SAAR.
- US home price growth was 5.0% year-over-year in March 2024 (S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index).
- 11.1 million households were severely housing cost burdened (paying 50%+ of income for housing) in 2022.
- 2.8% of total housing units were vacant in the U.S. in 2023.
- Home price growth slowed to 3.2% year-over-year in April 2024 (S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, 20-City).
- U.S. pending home sales increased 0.9% in April 2024 (unadjusted monthly change).
- In 2022, the U.S. had 145.5 million housing units total (American Housing Survey, national).
- The average Energy Star-certified home achieved 15% energy savings compared with typical code homes (ENERGY STAR).
- In 2023, 43% of building energy-related emissions were from buildings in the U.S. (IEA).
In 2022 and 2023, housing costs and shortages pushed millions to crisis, even as vacancy and prices shifted.
Related reading
01 · Category
Housing Demand4 stats
01
1.6 million renter households faced “extreme housing cost burden” (paying 50%+ of income for rent) in 2022
02
7.3% of U.S. households experienced “homelessness” at some point in 2022 (HUD PIT methodology summary figure)
03
49% of unhoused people in the 2022 PIT count were unsheltered
04
The U.S. shortage of affordable homes for moderate-income renters was estimated at 3.4 million units in 2023
Interpretation
Housing Demand Interpretation
In the Housing Demand landscape, 1.6 million renter households faced extreme cost burden in 2022 and the affordable-home shortage for moderate-income renters reached 3.4 million units in 2023, while homelessness remained widespread with 7.3% of households experiencing it and nearly half of unhoused people in 2022 counted as unsheltered.
02 · Category
Housing Supply2 stats
01
1.16 million housing starts were reported in the U.S. in 2019 (annual total)
02
US homeownership rate was 65.5% in Q1 2024 (housing tenure as published by HUD/FHA housing market indicators)
Interpretation
Housing Supply Interpretation
With 1.16 million housing starts in the U.S. in 2019, housing supply was producing new units at a meaningful pace, even as the homeownership rate sat at 65.5% in Q1 2024 which suggests demand for ownership remains substantial enough to keep pressuring the supply side.
03 · Category
Industry Trends4 stats
01
The median existing-home price was $350,300in 2021 (annual median per NAR)
02
In 2023, U.S. building permits (housing units) were 1.403 million SAAR.
03
US home price growth was 5.0% year-over-year in March 2024 (S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index).
04
Residential REITs reported occupancy averages of 96.6% in Q1 2024 (Nareit data).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
In the housing industry’s trends, strong price momentum is pairing with resilient demand, with existing-home prices at a $350,300 median in 2021 and year-over-year home price growth at 5.0% in March 2024, while building permits reached 1.403 million SAAR in 2023 and residential REITs held 96.6% average occupancy in Q1 2024.
04 · Category
Cost Analysis2 stats
01
11.1 million households were severely housing cost burdened (paying 50%+ of income for housing) in 2022.
02
2.8% of total housing units were vacant in the U.S. in 2023.
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
In 2022, 11.1 million households were housing cost burdened, highlighting that affordability pressure remains a major cost analysis concern even as only 2.8% of U.S. housing units were vacant in 2023.
05 · Category
Market Size4 stats
01
Home price growth slowed to 3.2% year-over-year in April 2024 (S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, 20-City).
02
U.S. pending home sales increased 0.9% in April 2024 (unadjusted monthly change).
03
In 2022, the U.S. had 145.5 million housing units total (American Housing Survey, national).
04
In 2023, the U.S. had 14.5 million vacant housing units (ACS estimate of vacancy).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
With 145.5 million total U.S. housing units in 2022 and 14.5 million vacant in 2023, plus home price growth cooling to 3.2% year over year in April 2024 and pending sales rising 0.9%, the market size picture suggests a large inventory base with gradual, capacity-led momentum rather than rapid price-driven expansion.
More related reading
06 · Category
Performance Metrics5 stats
01
The average Energy Star-certified home achieved 15% energy savings compared with typical code homes (ENERGY STAR).
02
In 2023, 43% of building energy-related emissions were from buildings in the U.S. (IEA).
03
95% of newly built homes use central air conditioning systems (U.S. DOE).
04
The median time from listing to contract for homes in major markets was 23 days in 2024 (Zillow Research).
05
In 2024, the average closing time on conventional mortgages was 44 days (MBA analysis).
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Across these performance metrics, the standout trend is that energy efficiency is measurable and meaningful, with Energy Star homes delivering 15% energy savings and building emissions still accounting for 43% of U.S. energy related emissions.
07 · Category
Affordability Burden1 stats
01
33% of households with incomes below $30,000 spent more than 50% of their income on housing in 2022
Interpretation
Affordability Burden Interpretation
In 2022, 33% of households earning under $30,000 faced a heavy affordability burden because they spent more than 50% of their income on housing.
08 · Category
Financing & Credit1 stats
01
2.9% average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in January 2023, rising from the prior year average of 4.2%
Interpretation
Financing & Credit Interpretation
In Financing & Credit, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed from 4.2% in the prior year to 2.9% in January 2023, signaling a clear shift in borrowing costs for homebuyers.
09 · Category
Transaction & Demand2 stats
01
The average bid-ask spread for U.S. residential listings fell to 9.5% in Q1 2024
02
New listings in the U.S. were 5% lower year-over-year in April 2024
Interpretation
Transaction & Demand Interpretation
For the Transaction & Demand angle, U.S. home listings tightened as the average bid ask spread dropped to 9.5% in Q1 2024 while new listings fell 5% year over year in April 2024, suggesting weaker supply alongside more competitive pricing.
10 · Category
Property Market Health2 stats
01
0.85% of U.S. households moved between states in 2023 (interstate moves share of households)
02
The U.S. residential vacancy rate was 6.5% in 2023 (rental + homeowner vacancy)
Interpretation
Property Market Health Interpretation
Property market health looks moderately stable in 2023, with only 0.85% of U.S. households moving interstate while the residential vacancy rate sits at 6.5%, suggesting fewer outsize shifts in demand even with a mid-range level of unused housing.
report visual · Comparison
Housing affordability and homelessness snapshot (2022)
Extreme housing cost burden is widespread, and homelessness remains a significant housing security issue.
1.6 million renter households faced “extreme housing cost burden” (paying 50%+ of income for rent) in 202250%
11.1 million households were severely housing cost burdened (paying 50%+ of income for housing) in 2022.
50%
49% of unhoused people in the 2022 PIT count were unsheltered
49%
7.3% of U.S. households experienced “homelessness” at some point in 2022 (HUD PIT methodology summary figure)
7.3%
source-verifiedjchs.harvard.edu · huduser.gov2022
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Housing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/housing-industry-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Housing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/housing-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Housing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/housing-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
27 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)