For decades, renting an apartment in the United States was considered the simplest way to start a new life. But in recent years, rent prices have exploded, leaving millions of Americans — and especially immigrants — scrambling to stay afloat.
A real economic fact: from 2010 to 2023, average rent in major U.S. cities increased by more than 40%, while wages grew far less. Even small towns, once considered affordable, are now seeing sharp increases due to population shifts and housing shortages.
Our fictional case follows Elena Torres, a single mother who moved to Texas hoping for a cheaper lifestyle. She expected rent around $800. Instead, the cheapest safe option was $1,200 — without utilities. When she applied, the landlord required three times the rent in provable income, a background check, and an additional deposit because she hadn’t lived in the U.S. long enough to build credit.
Elena took a second job at a bakery just to meet the income requirement.
The truth is, landlords are not the villains. In many states, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs have skyrocketed, forcing them to raise prices. But the result is the same: families are being pushed to the limit.
Another factor is corporate ownership. Large companies now buy entire apartment complexes, renovate them minimally, rebrand them as “luxury,” and increase rent by hundreds of dollars per month. This trend is real — and it’s reshaping entire cities.
For immigrants, the shock is even greater. Many come expecting a higher standard of living, only to discover that rent consumes half their income. The dream of saving money becomes almost impossible.
Yet amidst the struggle, resilience emerges. Families share apartments, find creative ways to reduce expenses, and slowly climb toward stability.
But the question remains:
How can the American Dream survive if basic housing becomes a luxury?