Housing Analysis April 2026

According to the WSJ, 3.4 billion dollars’ worth of housing is being held up due to the recent ban on building to rent. (Karmin, 2026) This is apparently leaving some housing plots undeveloped or unsold. However, my response to that is development should not be building homes to rent in the first place. That land, and those houses would be much better used for buying homes to sell. Idea, however, this source shows some conflicting information. However, I am doing my own analysis. According to the United States government, price have been raised “1.6 percent from January 2025 to January 2026.” (Gov, 2026). According to FRED.com consumer prices have increased 25% in the last seven years. (2019-2026) According to apartment advisor, the median rental price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1495 a month. The median price for a two-bedroom rental is $1600 or $800 per person. The median price for a two-bedroom apartment has declined by 4.1% in the last year showing significant progress. However, $800 dollars a month is not attainable for those making under $20 dollars an hour. At $20 dollars an hour for 160 hours a month would create an income of $3200. After taxes that would be approximately $2000. That is 40% of a 20$ an hour person’s income. The recommended amount is 33%. 1. I advise raising the national minimum wage up to $15 dollars a month minimum. 2. I recommend building more affordable housing, renting and owning. 3. I recommend targeting two-bedroom apartment prices for the national median to be under $700 dollars. I recommend house prices, which currently average ~$410,000, to be aimed at being brought down to $360,000 for the same house.
A graph of prices of consumer prices in the United States from 2019-2026 from Fred.



Sources:
https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/congress-attempt-to-build-housing-is-leaving-land-empty-instead-ab93791c?mod=Searchresults&pos=2&page=1
https://www.fhfa.gov/reports/house-price-index/2026/3
fred.com
https://www.apartmentadvisor.com/national-rent-report