Report: Renters Spend Double Amount Of Income On Rent That Homeowners Spend On Mortgages

SEATTLE, Wa. (CBS) – According to analysis by online real estate database Zillow, it's getting harder for people to pay their rent, but paying a mortgage is affordable for many.

Zillow says its report found that rents hit their least affordable point in the second quarter of this year.

The report says renters in the United States can expect to spend more than 30 percent of their monthly income on rent payments.

According to Zillow, the rent problem is worsens depending on where you live. Renters in markets such as Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco can expect to spend more than 40 percent of their monthly income on rent.

However, the report finds that mortgages continue to be affordable for much of the population. Zillow says buyers should expect to spend just 15.1 percent of their income on a mortgage payment.

Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell says, "With mortgages being more affordable than rents, it's a good time to buy — as long as you can afford a down payment."

According to Zillow, with rents being less affordable than ever, some overdrawn renters are even skimping on health care.

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