46 US Cities Running Out of Jobs and Cheap Housing in 2026
46 US Cities Running Out of Jobs and Cheap Housing in 2026
Heather TaylorTue, October 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC
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TheCrimsonRibbon · iStock.com
California is running out of jobs and cheap housing faster than any other state in America. The Golden State dominated in a new MoneyLion study analyzing the top 46 U.S. cities where jobs and affordable housing are disappearing the fastest. Thirty-two California cities were recognized in the ranking and swept the top five and first place mentions.
To find which U.S. cities are running out of jobs and cheap housing, MoneyLion researchers studied the top 250 biggest housing markets in America (via Zillow) and reviewed each city’s average home value and monthly rent for September 2026 as well as the metro statistical area (MSA) unemployment rate. The final ranking features 46 cities, which were scored on these three factors. These cities were then ranked against each other with the average home value and monthly rent carrying half as much weight as the MSA unemployment rate.
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MoneyLion also analyzed each city’s median household income and its labor force participation rate, referring to the rate of the working-age population ages 16+ either working or actively looking for work.
Key Findings -
California accounted for nine of the top 10 cities quickly running out of jobs and housing. The cities and their ranks are Irvine (#1), Modesto (#2), Fontana (#3), Huntington Beach (#4), Rancho Cucamonga (#5), Corona (#7), Stockton (#8), Glendale (#9) and Salinas (#10).
Florida is also starting to feel the pinch on available jobs and housing. Six Florida cities appeared in the ranking including Naples (#27), Port Saint Lucie (#31), Sarasota (#39), Saint Petersburg (#44), Tampa (#45) and Clearwater (#46).
The labor force participation rate is greater than 70% in three ranking cities: Seattle (#30); Renton, Washington (#34); and Gilbert, Arizona (#42).
Only four ranking cities have average home values under $400,000 – and they’re all in Florida. From most to least expensive, they are Tampa ($396,946), Port Saint Lucie ($390,325), Clearwater ($386,221) and Saint Petersburg ($377,514).
Scroll down to find out where it’s getting harder to find jobs and cheap housing in America.
1. Irvine, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $1,778,505
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,527
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 67.3%
Median household income: $136,719
2. Modesto, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $446,375
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,021
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 7%
Labor force participation rate: 61.6%
Median household income: $79,891
3. Fontana, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $640,016
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,190
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.3%
Median household income: $102,821
4. Huntington Beach, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $1,454,822
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,081
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.1%
Median household income: $120,919
5. Rancho Cucamonga, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $825,477
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,802
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 65.2%
Median household income: $111,895
6. Bellevue, Washington -
Average home value (August 2026): $1,626,033
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,828
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 67.2%
Median household income: $165,576
7. Corona, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $774,965
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,674
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.5%
Median household income: $109,242
8. Stockton, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $433,091
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,010
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 6.4%
Labor force participation rate: 61.7%
Median household income: $79,907
9. Glendale, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $1,365,296
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,790
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 62.9%
Median household income: $88,393
10. Salinas, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $757,551
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,501
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 61.4%
Median household income: $91,908
11. Ontario, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $684,440
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,580
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.2%
Median household income: $88,941
12. Riverside, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $652,815
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,444
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 64.8%
Median household income: $91,045
13. Moreno Valley, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $552,840
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,382
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 65%
Median household income: $93,222
14. Garden Grove, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $1,028,945
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,767
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 63.5%
Median household income: $92,174
15. Los Angeles -
Average home value (August 2026): $1,005,275
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,778
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.5%
Median household income: $81,939
16. San Diego -
Average home value (August 2026): $1,129,654
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,036
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 68.1%
Median household income: $108,077
17. Anaheim, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $982,340
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,759
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.7%
Median household income: $95,227
18. Santa Ana, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $922,993
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,812
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.5%
Median household income: $93,999
19. Santa Clarita, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $831,357
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,787
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 67.1%
Median household income: $123,062
20. Oceanside, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $916,857
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,931
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.2%
Median household income: $97,737
21. Chula Vista, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $900,863
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,945
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.2%
Median household income: $108,032
22. Long Beach, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $934,865
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,422
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.3%
Median household income: $87,430
23. San Bernardino, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $498,482
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $1,954
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 60.6%
Median household income: $67,415
24. Elk Grove, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $629,707
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,716
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 65%
Median household income: $125,924
25. Oxnard, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $774,210
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,864
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.8%
Median household income: $96,212
26. Palmdale, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $502,747
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,751
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 61.3%
Median household income: $81,770
27. Naples, Florida -
Average home value (August 2026): $669,580
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,549
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 35.3%
Median household income: $153,182
28. Roseville, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $650,367
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,569
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 65.1%
Median household income: $119,288
29. Whittier, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $822,609
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,372
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 62.4%
Median household income: $97,201
30. Seattle -
Average home value (August 2026): $902,584
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,234
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 74.2%
Median household income: $123,860
31. Port Saint Lucie, Florida -
Average home value (August 2026): $390,325
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,396
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.3%
Labor force participation rate: 59%
Median household income: $80,648
32. Pomona, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $694,917
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,353
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 62.9%
Median household income: $79,479
33. Escondido, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $878,280
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,547
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 64.7%
Median household income: $91,967
34. Renton, Washington -
Average home value (August 2026): $764,060
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,236
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 70.6%
Median household income: $100,432
35. Lancaster, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $465,230
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,420
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 56.5%
Median household income: $81,511
36. Scottsdale, Arizona -
Average home value (August 2026): $966,486
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,127
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 61.3%
Median household income: $110,886
37. Naperville, Illinois -
Average home value (August 2026): $663,133
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,289
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.9%
Labor force participation rate: 67.8%
Median household income: $155,105
38. El Cajon, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $866,012
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,275
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 61.1%
Median household income: $67,511
39. Sarasota, Florida -
Average home value (August 2026): $441,367
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,175
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 53.5%
Median household income: $72,105
40. Sugar Land, Texas -
Average home value (August 2026): $444,878
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,032
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.1%
Labor force participation rate: 63.4%
Median household income: $136,217
41. Sacramento, California -
Average home value (August 2026): $482,360
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,056
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 65%
Median household income: $87,321
42. Gilbert, Arizona -
Average home value (August 2026): $570,519
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,075
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 72.2%
Median household income: $122,551
43. Worcester, Massachusetts -
Average home value (August 2026): $452,463
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,130
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 65.2%
Median household income: $70,102
44. Saint Petersburg, Florida -
Average home value (August 2026): $377,514
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,058
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 64.6%
Median household income: $75,192
45. Tampa, Florida -
Average home value (August 2026): $396,946
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $1,957
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 66.9%
Median household income: $75,475
46. Clearwater, Florida -
Average home value (August 2026): $386,221
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $1,963
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 59.4%
Median household income: $66,381
Methodology: To identify cities in the U.S. that are running out of jobs and cheap housing, MoneyLion gathered information on the top 250 biggest housing markets in the U.S., according to Zillow. To be considered for ranking, each city had to have data available on: (1) its August 2026 typical home value, according to Zillow, (2) its August 2026 typical monthly rent, according to Zillow and (3) its Metro Statistical Area unemployment rate, according to the July 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The 46 cities in the final ranking have values higher than the U.S. national average in all 3 of the above factors. The highlighted cities were then scored on all three factors and ranked against each other, with factors (1) and (2) carrying half as much weight as factor (3). Supplemental information was also provided on the final 46 cities including: labor force participation rate (for the population 16+) and median household income from the 2024 American Community Survey. All data was collected on and up to date as of Sept. 21, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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