Annapolis, MD — Nearly half (49%) of Maryland’s young professionals say they are considering leaving the state in favor of neighboring states due to a lack of affordable housing, according to a January 2026 survey of Maryland voters. Among those respondents, 88% report that their rent or mortgage places a significant strain on their finances.
Maryland REALTORS® leadership, joined by Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day, will discuss the findings of the association’s sixth annual State of Housing Survey at a news conference on February 10 at 10 a.m. at Maryland REALTORS® headquarters, 200 Harry S. Truman Drive, Annapolis.
The independent survey, conducted by Statara, reveals widespread concern among Maryland voters about housing affordability and supply, growing dissatisfaction with government responses, and strong support for solutions that do not raise taxes.
Taxes—including property taxes and government fees—ranked as the top issue (22%) that voters want state and local governments to address. Other leading concerns include the overall cost of living, crime and public safety, and housing affordability.
Housing costs remain a critical pressure point. Nine in ten voters (90%) say the cost of buying a home in their region of Maryland is too high—an increase of six points from 2025 and a dramatic 33-point jump since 2020. This concern spans every age group surveyed.
At the same time, voters support several policy solutions that counties and municipalities could implement to increase housing supply and affordability. Many of these approaches align with Governor Wes Moore’s Housing Growth and Affordability Agenda for the 2026 legislative session.
Members of the media are invited to join Maryland REALTORS® President Denise Lewis, President-Elect Melanie Gamble, CEO Chuck Kasky, and Secretary Jake Day for a discussion of the housing challenges facing Marylanders—and the voter-backed solutions that can be implemented this year without raising taxes.
“We’ve watched this housing crisis deepen year after year, and now we have clear, practical solutions that Marylanders support,” said Denise Lewis, 2026 President of Maryland REALTORS®. “As lawmakers consider other proposals that come with a price tag, voters are telling us there are ways to increase housing supply and affordability without adding to their tax burden.”
“This is an election year, and voters are paying close attention,” said Chuck Kasky, CEO of Maryland REALTORS®. “Our 28,000 members are watching this legislative session closely. Lawmakers have a real opportunity to make lasting progress on housing affordability—without making life more expensive for Maryland families. That’s a win for everyone.”
