Study Links Rising Urban Rents to Increased AfD Support Among Low-Income Renters

Research finds that higher neighborhood rents correlate with greater AfD support among economically vulnerable tenants in urban areas.

A study led by researchers from Mannheim, Oxford, and Zurich analyzed rent data and survey responses to explore political shifts among urban renters.
Findings show that a €1 per square meter increase in neighborhood rents raises AfD support by up to 4 percentage points among low-income renters.
This effect is observed even among tenants not directly impacted by rent hikes, as they perceive rising rents as a threat to their social and economic status.
Higher-income renters and homeowners tend to benefit from rising rents, showing an opposite political response compared to low-income renters.
Despite the urban trend, the AfD continues to see its strongest overall support in rural, economically weaker areas where rents are typically lower.