Housing affordability in America's largest metros is getting tighter. Since 2021, Fair Market Rents for one- and two-bedroom apartments have climbed roughly 40% across major US metropolitan areas. That's a pretty dramatic shift in just a few years. For millions of renters, this means housing costs are consuming a bigger slice of their income—leaving less for other investments or savings. When essential expenses like rent spike, it reshapes how people manage their finances. Worth noting if you're thinking about wealth distribution or economic trends heading into the next cycle.