How NYC renters are thinking ahead of the 2025 mayoral election
As the 2025 mayoral race heats up, housing has emerged as the defining issue for New Yorkers. Openigloo conducted a citywide survey from October 22–28, 2025, capturing the sentiments of hundreds of renters and homeowners across the five boroughs. The results reveal a city fixated on housing affordability and stability – and a mayoral race that is still up for grabs.
Report snapshot
- 21% of respondents remain undecided, signaling a sizable amount of swing voters.
- Zohran Mamdani leads overall with 50%, followed by Andrew Cuomo (17%), Curtis Sliwa (9.5%), and only 3% selecting “other.”
- Housing affordability dominates voter priorities, cited by 67% of respondents, far outpacing public safety (25%) and climate & sustainability (1.5%).
- 55% support building more affordable housing, while 18% favor offering incentives for small landlords.
- Voter divides by housing status and age are sharp:
- Among renters, Mamdani leads Cuomo 55% to 15%.
- Among homeowners, Cuomo leads at 40% to Sliwa’s 26% and Mamdani’s 13%.
- Among voters of ages 55+, Mamdani maintains a 40% to 25% edge over Cuomo.
Undecided voters: The quiet force
Despite the intensity of the race, 21% of respondents remain undecided. This group spans across income levels and neighborhoods, suggesting widespread uncertainty with the current political choices. In a close race, this group could determine the outcome, particularly if housing policy proposals sharpen in the final weeks.
Housing affordability: The defining issue
Asked to choose the issue that matters most this election, 67% of voters chose housing affordability. This priority spans boroughs, income brackets, and age groups.
When questioned further, respondents strongly supported more affordable housing construction, while a smaller subset (18%) preferred incentives for small landlords. Rent stabilization, freezes, and zoning reforms were secondary preferences, with support from middle-income renters.
Voters across age groups
A key question this election is whether housing priorities break along age and ownership lines. Our data suggests they do – and sharply. Renters, especially those under 45, overwhelmingly support Zohran Mamdani (52%) compared to Cuomo’s (14%).
Voters across housing types
When it comes to homeownership 55% of renters support Mamdani compared to Cuomo’s 15%, whereas homeowners favor Cuomo three to one (40%). These patterns reflect the City’s broader housing reality as renters focused more on affordability.
What voters want the next mayor to understand
Across open-ended responses, one message came through clearly: New Yorkers are struggling to keep pace with the City’s cost of living. Rent pressures are reshaping neighborhoods, pushing out longtime residents, and leaving even middle-income earners feeling squeezed.
“There is a middle class that can’t afford to live here – even if you make $100K, it’s rough.”
“The housing situation causes lifelong New Yorkers to have to leave their city.”
“Rent is out of control and landlords need to be held accountable… I’m born and raised here and don’t belong anymore because rents are too high.”
Voters are asking for leadership that restores balance and policies that protect tenants, support small landlords, and make it possible for working class New Yorkers to remain in the city they help sustain.
Conclusion
Housing affordability has clearly become the issue on voters’ minds this election. With more than one in five still undecided, how candidates address rising rents and the broader cost of living could be what tips the balance. The message from voters is consistent: affordability isn’t abstract, and it’s shaping real choices about where people live, work, and stay. For many New Yorkers, the next mayor’s housing plan won’t just set policy; it will determine whether they can continue calling this city home.