Housing affordability challenges reported in Boston and Austin

A new report indicates that the transition from renting to homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult in the Greater Boston area. According to the 2026 Greater Boston Housing Report Card, only 17% of renter households earn enough to afford a typical single-family home in the region’s lower-priced communities, a significant decrease from 29% in 2021.

To afford a $600,000 home with a 3.5% down payment, a household would require an annual income of approximately $181,000. Factors contributing to this trend include high mortgage rates, steep rents that hinder savings, and home prices that remain elevated despite a cooling market.

In Austin, Texas, the City Council is reworking its long-term housing strategy after data revealed that only 11% of new affordable homes were built in high-opportunity areas. This falls short of the 25% target set by the city’s 2017 Strategic Housing Blueprint. The updated plan for 2028–2037 will focus on revising opportunity maps, investing in transit, and addressing displacement prevention.