The U.S. Conference of Mayors poll found more than 96% of 113 mayors report residents are very or extremely concerned about affordability, with housing costs named as the top concern. Mayors say rising costs for groceries, utilities, childcare, gas and healthcare are reducing disposable income and harming local businesses. A majority of mayors want stronger federal action—especially more affordable housing construction and tariff relief on building materials—while experts warn recent Fed rate hikes and mortgage rates near 7% make near-term relief unlikely.
Nearly All Mayors Report Residents Worried About Housing Affordability, Demand Federal Action
Both parties are emphasizing affordability in this year's midterm elections. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized President Donald Trump, who he said has driven up housing costs. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Almost every mayor surveyed in a recent U.S. Conference of Mayors poll said residents in their cities are deeply worried about affordability—above all, the cost of housing. The poll underscores how rising living expenses are squeezing households and straining local economies nationwide.
Key Poll Findings
The poll, released Sept. 17, found that more than 96% of 113 mayors reported constituents were very or extremely concerned about affordability, with housing costs identified as the main driver. Mayors also pointed to growing pressure from groceries, utilities, childcare, gasoline and healthcare.
Specifically, roughly 94% of mayors said the cost of living is rising in their cities, and 39% said affordability has significantly worsened. A majority connected the crisis to concrete problems: 76% reported rising rents, 56% cited increases in evictions and 43% reported more delinquent utility bills.
Local Responses and Federal Requests
Many cities have developed local programs or proposals to help residents cope. But a strong majority of mayors said federal support is essential. About 82% urged more federal resources for building affordable housing, while 58% called for tariff relief on building materials. Mayors also urged streamlining regulations to accelerate housing construction.
“Americans are feeling squeezed by the cost of housing, groceries, utilities and other everyday necessities,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego. “The affordability crisis is a national one and it requires strong federal partnership to fix it.”
This year brought a notable step when the 21st Century Road to Housing Act became law, a rare display of bipartisan action in Washington. But mayors and advocates say much more is needed to meaningfully improve affordability.
Broader Public Impact
National surveys reflect similar concerns. A summer survey by Voss and the Housing Narrative Lab of 1,000 adults found 59% were personally worried about affording rent or a mortgage; more than half said those worries had harmed their mental or physical health. Jonathan Voss, founder of Voss Research Strategy, noted people are delaying retirement savings, education and medical care because of cost pressures.
Political parties are highlighting affordability ahead of the midterm elections, proposing different policy approaches—from rent-control measures to incentives for affordable housing construction. Still, experts say near-term relief is unlikely: the Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates for the first time in three years, and mortgage rates have climbed toward 7% after a low of 5.98% in late February.
What This Means
Mayors nationwide describe a daily reality in which families face harder choices because basic costs have risen faster than incomes. They are calling for a combination of local innovation and stronger federal investment to expand affordable housing supply, reduce construction costs and protect vulnerable renters while broader economic trends are addressed.
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