Cameron Toroni, a 24-year-old Uber driver in Chicago, wonders if he'll ever afford what his parents and grandparents had. He dropped out of college during the pandemic, and now drives full-time for Uber at minimum wage, paying $2,000 a month for a modest apartment.
Toroni's story reflects a national crisis. A Gallup poll released April 28 found 55% of respondents say their financial situations are worsening-an all-time high. Housing costs are tied with energy as the top affordability concern, with over one-third of Americans worried they can't pay rent or mortgage.
Property taxes have risen 15% over five years, according to Cotality. Homeowners' insurance jumped 70% between 2019 and 2025 due to climate-related risks. Housing counselor Katelyn Gravell reports constant calls from seniors on fixed incomes, many forced to seek food pantries.
“We've advanced technologically for decades,” Toroni says, “but it feels like we're doing less with more nowadays.”