The U.S. rental vacancy rate reached 7.3 percent in the second quarter of 2026, its highest level since 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The increase reflects a nationwide apartment building boom that has shifted bargaining power toward renters, even as the homeownership rate holds steady at 65.0 percent. This article examines the historical trend, the forces behind the rise, and what the data suggest for the rest of 2026.
The July 2026 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey shows job openings little changed at 7.3 million, with hires and total separations at 5.1 million. Quits remained at 3.1 million and layoffs at 1.7 million, signaling a labor market marked by low turnover and persistent caution. The hires rate fell back to 3.2 percent, underscoring a ‘new normal’ of stagnation.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 population estimates, released in June 2026, provide updated state-level data on race and Hispanic origin from April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025. These estimates allow analysts to track racial and ethnic diversity across states, building on the 2020 Census diversity index. Hawaii, California, Nevada, and Maryland remain among the most diverse states, while Maine, Vermont, and West Virginia continue to have the lowest diversity levels.
The Gini coefficient is a summary measure of income inequality that ranges from 0, perfect equality, to 1, perfect inequality. In the United States, the Census Bureau reported that income inequality increased in 2021 for the first time since 2011, driven by real income declines at the bottom. The Bureau of Economic Analysis now publishes state-level Gini coefficients, allowing geographic comparisons of income concentration.
The U.S. labor force participation rate was 61.4% in July 2026, but state rates range from about 54% in West Virginia to nearly 70% in Utah. Age structure, economic conditions, and demographic differences drive the wide state-by-state variation. This article ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia and explains the key trends.
As of mid-2026, median asking rents in the 50 largest U.S. metros have seen a steady decline for 35 consecutive months. This trend is driven by a multiyear multifamily construction boom that has significantly increased housing supply across various regional markets.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the GDP deflator are both measures of inflation, but they track different baskets and scopes. The CPI measures prices paid by urban consumers for a fixed basket including imports, while the GDP deflator measures prices of all domestic production with a changing basket. Since the early 1970s, the CPI has risen almost 30% more than the GDP deflator, a gap that matters for cost-of-living adjustments and real GDP.
Florida and South Carolina tied for the fastest real GDP growth among U.S. states in 2025, each expanding 3.1 percent, while every state economy grew. The national economy grew 2.1 percent, but state performance ranged from 0.3 percent in North Dakota to 3.1 percent in the leaders. Sun Belt states generally outperformed the national average, while Plains and Great Lakes states lagged.
The U.S. rental vacancy rate reached 7.3% in 2026, its highest level since 2017, signaling a shift toward a renter-friendly market. State-level vacancy rates vary widely, from 3.84% in New York to 9.0% in Texas, according to March 2026 data. This article examines the latest rankings, regional patterns, and factors driving the changes.
Low-income households face a disproportionate financial burden as basic necessities consume a larger share of their total income. This analysis examines the state-level disparities in affordability across food, healthcare, and transportation sectors.