Nearly 70% of Tampa Bay’s Generation Z renters are spending over 30% of their income on housing, reflecting a broader national crisis affecting young Americans, according to a new Zillow and StreetEasy analysis of 2022 Census data.

The study reveals that nationwide, almost 60% of Gen Z renters (ages 18-25) qualify as “rent-burdened,” meaning housing costs consume more than 30% of their income. Florida’s major cities rank among the most challenging markets, with Tampa, Miami, and Orlando all approaching the 70% mark for rent-burdened young residents.

California cities face even steeper challenges, with San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento reporting nearly 75% of Gen Z renters struggling with housing costs. “Young adults often must choose between career opportunities and affordable housing,” notes Zillow Rental Trends Expert Emily McDonald. “Finding ways to make these dynamic cities more affordable is crucial.”

Some markets offer hope: Austin, Texas has seen its share of rent-burdened young adults drop from 69.2% to 59.6% over the past decade. Similar improvements appear in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. Surprisingly, today’s Gen Z renters are faring slightly better than millennials did at the same age – 58.6% versus 60.2% who were rent-burdened in 2012.

However, StreetEasy Senior Economist Kenny Lee warns against accepting this situation as normal: “The struggle to pay rent on entry-level salaries shouldn’t be considered standard practice.” The challenge extends beyond young renters, with nearly half of all U.S. renter households in major metros now classified as cost-burdened, despite recent wage increases failing to match rising rental costs.