Roughly three in five (59 percent ) Americans believe advances in artificial intelligence (AI) will eliminate jobs and make it harder for people to afford homes, according to a new survey fielded by Ipsos and commissioned by Redfin.
Half as many people (30 percent) believe the opposite, that advances in AI will boost the economy and help more people afford homes.
AI has dominated headlines as rapid advances stoke fears that it could automate a significant share of white-collar jobs, according to Redfin. Some estimates suggest up to 30 percent of jobs could be displaced, with 80 percent of workers affected in some way, fueling anxiety about income stability. Uncertainty around the future of the labor market could also contribute to volatile mortgage rates, adding another hurdle for prospective homebuyers.
Broken down by political party, just over three in five (63 percent) Democrats say advances in AI will eliminate jobs and make it harder to afford homes. Just under three in five (57 percent) Republicans say the same thing.
Redfin also asked how other factors are impacting how people think about housing affordability.
Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of residents believe tariffs will cause inflation and keep interest rates high. Three in 10 (31 percent) say tariffs will help boost the economy, helping more people afford to buy homes.
President Trump’s tariffs have unsettled would-be homebuyers since he introduced them last year. An April 2025 Redfin survey found 24 percent of Americans canceled plans for a major purchase like a home or car because of tariffs, and 32 percent delayed them
Redfin also asked people how rules and regulations around immigration will help or hurt housing affordability. More than half (52 percent) say less immigration will result in fewer construction workers and fewer new homes, driving up home prices. On the flip side, 35 percent say less immigration will reduce demand for housing, making it more affordable.
When asked about zoning, nearly half (47 percent) of residents say less restrictive rules around building and zoning will help make homes more affordable, while 19 percent disagree with that sentiment.
Democrats and Republicans differ on beliefs about how tariffs, immigration and zoning laws will impact housing affordability. For instance, 79 percent of Democrats say tariffs will cause inflation and keep interest rates high, compared to 51 percent of Republicans.
Republicans are far more likely to believe that less immigration will ultimately make housing more affordable, according to Redfin.
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