Study shows rent prices increasing four times faster than income

[May 20, 2022] By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – As home prices continue to escalate, rental prices are skyrocketing as well.

After declining by as much as 20% in Chicago and some other urban metros at the height of the pandemic, rent prices have rebounded. In Chicago, rent price increases have actually surpassed home price gains.

For some, it is getting more difficult to pay the monthly rent. According to Clever Real Estate, from 1985 to 2020, rent prices increased 149%, while income grew just 35%.

“We call that combination stagflation, when there stagnant wages and salaries combined with high inflation,” analyst Donetha Doe said.

If rent prices grew at the same rate as income since 2000, the median rent in 2020 in Chicago would cost $892 per month instead of $1,340 – about 34% less.

Since 2000, rent prices have doubled in half of the 50 largest U.S. cities, with rates tripling in Nashville and San Antonio.

Five of the 50 most-populous cities have a rent-to-income ratio higher than the recommended 30%: San Francisco (48%), San Diego (40%), Miami (33%), San Jose, California (32%) and Los Angeles (31%). St. Louis had the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 12%.

Doe said Millennials have postponed buying a home because of rising prices and low supply, which prevents them from moving out of their apartment.
 

“We do have a low supply of properties, whether it's rental or home buying, which is also adding to the issue,” Doe said.

According to RentData.org, in downstate Illinois, Champaign at $977 a month and Bloomington at $870 a month are both considered high compared to the national average. Other areas include Springfield with an average of $843, and Carbondale at under $800 a month.

According to the study, as millennials get married and have children, demand for multi-bedroom apartments could increase in the next decade. In fact, about 36% of cities are building larger apartments to accommodate growing families, remote work and online learning.

Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.