Homeownership costs in the U.S. reach an all-time high

The nation’s housing crunch is deepening, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The median monthly cost of owning a home with a mortgage climbed to a new high of more than $2,100, rising 3.5% from a year earlier.

Estimates released by the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development show that new single-family home sales were running at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 676,000. That was 0.6% below the August 2026 pace of 680,000 and 5.3% lower than the September 2025 pace of 714,000.

Redfin said sellers outnumbered buyers by 58% in August, the widest gap in more than 10 years. The median listing price this summer was also 2.4% lower than the same period a year earlier.

Officials say nearly three in 10 homeowners are now spending at least 30% of their income on housing.

Homeowners insurance has also become more expensive, with costs rising 8.6% over the past year and making coverage one of the fastest-growing expenses for owners.