Housing affordability and mental health in the United States: 2013-2020

This study examined the relationship between housing affordability and mental health of American homeowners and renters during 2013-2020, using fractions of people spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing at the state level as an indicator for housing affordability. State-level housing affordability measures were obtained from the American Community Survey and matched with individual-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey. By using linear regression models and exploiting variation in housing affordability at the state level for different income groups, this study found that unaffordable housing was associated with poor mental health among renters but not among homeowners. The findings suggest that housing affordability disproportionately affects the mental health of people who rely on renting for their housing needs.