As housing costs and economic pressures continue to rise, one in four Americans say homeownership is out of reach, according to a new KeyBank poll.
Roughly one in four Americans say homeownership is currently out of reach, even though most Americans report actively adjusting their household finances to cope with ongoing financial pressures, according to a new KeyBank survey.
The bank’s 2026 Financial Mobility Pulse poll, conducted in January by Schmidt Market Research, surveyed 1,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 70 who have a checking or savings account and play at least some role in household financial decisions. The survey examines how consumers manage spending, savings, debt, financial confidence, and financial stress.
Polls show that only 13% of Americans believe homeownership is within reach by 2026. The findings, released Monday, coincide with the National Association of Realtors’ Fair Housing Month and highlight continued concerns about access and affordability in the housing market.
“The financial pressures people are facing today are real and pervasive across the financial sector,” Dan Brown, executive vice president and director of consumer product management at KeyBank, said in a statement. “But what’s striking is that Americans aren’t waiting for things to get better. They’re responding to these pressures proactively and resourcefully.”
The stress of living expenses intensifies
According to the poll, negative sentiment about the economy rose to 28% in 2026 from 26% the year before. But the underlying concerns have changed markedly.
Forty-four percent of respondents cited rising housing costs as their biggest financial pressure, up from 35% in 2025, while concerns about health care costs also rose from 22% to 30%. Food prices continued to be the most widespread concern, rising from 55% to 58%.
Some of my macro-related worries have eased a little. Concerns about factors such as tariffs, inflation and interest rates fell slightly from 24% to 23%, but credit card debt fell more significantly as a top concern, dropping from 26% to 21%.
Even people with six-figure incomes are feeling the squeeze.
The poll found that economic trade-offs are an everyday reality for many households. One in three Americans (33%) report making financial compromises every day, and the remaining 31% report making them weekly. Notably, this trend cuts across income groups, with 26% of households with annual incomes of $100,000 or more also reporting daily trade-offs.
Consumers are adjusting in different ways. Nearly six in 10 respondents (59%) say they have switched to lower-priced brands and services, up from 49% in 2025. More than half (51%) have cut back on subscriptions or memberships, up from 41% a year ago.
Meanwhile, 35% of respondents say they are taking on side jobs or extra time to make ends meet financially, up from 30%. In total, 88% of Americans said they had made at least one meaningful financial adjustment.
KeyBank’s 2026 Financial Mobility Pulse Poll was conducted online in January 2026 by Schmidt Market Research and surveyed 1,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 70.
With a small move, you can now purchase it later.
While affordability remains a challenge, KeyBank said there are still practical steps Americans can take now and over time to move closer to homeownership.
The first step, according to KeyBank, is to have a clear understanding of your financial situation, including your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and savings, which form the basis of your homebuying plans.
From there, prospective buyers can consider down payment assistance programs offered by state, local governments, and lenders. Many offer grants, credits, or low down payment options that can significantly reduce upfront costs.
It’s also beneficial to get in touch with your banker before you’re ready to buy. Starting the conversation 12 to 18 months in advance can help buyers build a roadmap for credit improvement, savings strategies, and realistic timelines while continually checking in as their financial situation changes.
Finally, KeyBank suggests reframing your expectations around timing. For many households, homeownership is no longer an immediate milestone, but a long-term goal where steady progress is more important than speed.
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