Senior homeowners struggle with inflation and housing costs
Senior homeowners struggle with inflation and housing costs, with fewer than one in three expecting their finances to improve over the next year, per the 2026 L
A recent survey by Longbridge Financial reveals that senior homeowners are struggling with the burden of inflation and housing costs, with fewer than one in three expecting their finances to improve over the next year, according to newly released survey data from Longbridge Financial. The findings come from the inaugural 2026 Longbridge Financial Home Equity Confidence Index, a national survey of 2,021 U.S. homeowners ages 55 and older conducted by Morning Consult between March 26 and April 5, 2026.
Only 28% of respondents said they expect to be better off financially in the next year, while 44% expect their situation to stay about the same and 23% expect to be worse off. Another 5% are unsure. Those expecting improvement outnumber those expecting worsening conditions by only 5 percentage points.
Key findings from the Home Equity Confidence Index
Inflation and the rising cost of living emerged as the top worry, cited by 67% of respondents. That is 24 percentage points higher than those who cited healthcare costs, which came in second at 43%. Housing-related expenses also figure prominently in older homeowners’ concerns. Property taxes and home maintenance costs are each cited by 38% of respondents, while 26% cite homeowners insurance as a major concern. Overall, nine in 10 homeowners surveyed report at least one of the financial concerns measured.
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Income and the confidence gap
The survey highlights a wide gap in financial confidence based on household income, particularly around long-term security and discretionary spending in retirement. Among homeowners 55 and older with annual household incomes of at least $100,000, 76% say they feel confident about their long-term financial security, Longbridge said. That compares with 58% among those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 and 39% among those earning less than $50,000 — a 37-point difference between the highest- and lowest-income groups.
Confidence in covering everyday expenses follows a similar pattern. Eighty-six percent of respondents with incomes of $100,000 or more say they are confident they can afford day-to-day costs, versus 57% of those with incomes below $50,000. The largest income-based disparity appears around retirement lifestyle expectations. Seventy-nine percent of homeowners with incomes of at least $100,000 say they are confident they can afford leisure and travel in retirement. Only 36% of those with incomes below $50,000 say the same, a 43-point gap.
Gender differences in financial stress
The inaugural index also shows meaningful differences in financial pressure by gender. Home maintenance generates the largest gap, with 45% of women citing it as a major financial concern compared with 31% of men, Longbridge said. Women are also more likely than men to flag: Homeowners insurance: 29% of women vs 23% of men Inflation: 69% of women vs 64% of men Debt payments: 24% of women vs 20% of men.
