The cost of housing is the single most important political issue for American voters between the ages of 18 and 34, ranking above the cost of food, protecting democracy, and immigration, according to a new survey.
CNBC's All-America Economic Survey for the second quarter of 2026 polled 1,000 registered voters across the country between July 8 and 12. The results point to housing as a defining issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections, particularly among young voters that both parties are working to attract.
Among all respondents, housing costs and healthcare tied for fourth place on the list of the country's most important issues, trailing food and groceries, protecting democracy, and immigration and border security. But the numbers shifted sharply when filtered by age. Housing was the top issue for male respondents between 18 and 49, and the second-most important issue for all respondents between 35 and 49, after food costs.
The survey results come alongside a June report from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies showing that 49% of renting households spent more than 30% of their income on housing. Of those 22.7 million households, 12.1 million were paying more than half of their income for housing. Costs are driven by a combination of income gaps, rising insurance premiums, and climbing property taxes pushing mortgage expenses higher.
Jay Campbell, a partner at Hart Research and the Democratic pollster for the survey, drew a direct comparison to a missed opportunity from the last election cycle. "It was my contention and the contention of some other people that Democrats had a huge miss in 2024 by not talking more about healthcare. It is an issue where Democrats have had an advantage in polling for a long time," Campbell said. He added, "I think housing could be the healthcare of 2024, given especially the need for Democrats to turn young people out who are inclined to be anti-Trump and pro-democratic."
The issue splits along party lines. Democrats ranked housing third, behind food costs and protecting democracy. Independents placed it fourth, behind food, democracy, and immigration. Republicans ranked it lower, with immigration, food costs, and Iran taking priority.
A bipartisan housing bill aimed at increasing supply, lowering costs to rent or buy, and limiting private equity's role in the housing market passed out of Congress with wide support in June. The bill appeared headed for a signing ceremony, but President Donald Trump canceled the event on short notice, according to CNBC's reporting, leaving the legislation's path forward uncertain.
Both parties have tried to claim ownership of the affordability issue heading into the midterms. The survey results suggest young voters are watching closely to see which party follows through.
