# Rent Belt Index Reveals Housing Strain in Midterms

> Midterms test housing affordability as rent costs surge in 22.7 million households.
- Title: Rent Belt Index Reveals Housing Strain in Midterms · Newsweek
- Summary: Midterms test housing affordability as rent costs surge in 22.7 million households. 22.7 million renter households spend over 30% of income on rent and…
- Keywords: rent belt, midterms, housing affordability, renter households, housing costs, political impact, housing crisis, midterm elections, housing policy, renter burden, Rent, Belt
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/do-you-live-rent-belt-check-new-midterms-index-12618286
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:28:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rent belt, midterms, housing affordability, renter households, housing costs, political impact, housing crisis, midterm elections, housing policy, renter burden
## Rent Belt Index Launch
Newsweek introduces Rent Belt Index scoring House districts by rent-to-income ratio.
## National Rent Burden
38 percent of typical annual income goes to rent and utilities nationwide.
## California's Squeeze
Santa Ana district shows 65.5 percent of income spent on rent and utilities.
## 22.7 Million Households
22.7 million renter households spend over 30 percent of income on rent and utilities in 2024.
## Housing Affordability Crisis
Rent costs eating growing portion of incomes, leaving less for food and healthcare.
## Left's Midterm Wins
Two democratic socialists win in rent belt districts with strong renter support.
## New York Successes
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani win with renter-focused policies.
## California Challenges
Aisha Wahab wins special election in East Bay despite opposition funding.
## Republican Presence
14 of 56 rent belt districts held by Republicans.
## Key takeaway

22.7 million renter households spend over 30% of income on rent and utilities in 2024, with housing costs driving midterms outcomes.