By Justin Mathews | Pinal Post
Casa Grande rents have fallen $100 on average from their 2022 peak, yet nearly half of the city’s renters remain cost-burdened by housing expenses. The Casa Grande Planning and Zoning Commission received this sobering finding on November 6, 2025, during a comprehensive presentation on the city’s Affordable Housing Plan. Rick Merritt, president of Elliott D. Pollack & Company, presented the study’s findings to commissioners.
Merritt revealed that despite falling rents, the affordability crisis persists. According to the firm’s analysis, 47.8% of renters still pay more than 30% of their income on housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines 30% as the federal affordability threshold.
The affordability gap reflects a widening disparity between income and housing costs. Median household income increased 35.2% from 2018 through 2023, rising from $49,069 to $66,354. However, single-family resale prices surged 64% since 2019—nearly double the rate of income growth.
