National As many are priced out of buying, the renter-owner wealth gap is wider than ever NPR | By Jennifer Ludden Published July 28, 2026 at 4:14 PM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 6:28 Alyssa Pointer for NPRJay Washington, 38, stands for a portrait at his residence in Athens, Ga., earlier this month. Washington would like to own a home, but after a cycle of underemployment, he's not sure whether he'll ever be able to. Copyright 2026 NPR