Metro Job Growth & Housing Demand: 2026 Economic Snapshot

The job market drives housing demand, but the type of jobs created or lost impacts the type of housing. High-income sectors—Information, Professional Services, and Financial Activities—are shrinking across most major metros. Workers in these industries drive for-sale housing demand more than rental demand. Nationally, high-income sector employment remained flat YOY in August, well below its long-term compound annual growth of +1.6%.

The Education and Healthcare sectors account for the bulk of new jobs added in most metros and are growing faster than normal in almost every market. Many of these jobs pay lower wages on average and often generate rental demand more than homebuying activity. Nationally, education and healthcare employment rose +3.3% YOY in August, well above its long-term compound annual growth of +2.1%