Housing costs significantly impact low-income households, restricting their ability to purchase food. A study evaluated the relationship between housing costs at both area and household levels and food purchasing behaviors among 3,707 households using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey. Researchers focused on three outcomes: spending per 500 kcal, total kcal purchased, and food quality. The study defined housing-cost burdened households as those spending more than 30% of their income on housing and used the Small Area Fair Market Rent as an index for area housing costs.

Results indicated that in areas with low Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchasing power, higher fair market rents correlated with increased food spending per 500 kcal among SNAP participants and eligible and ineligible non-SNAP participants. Conversely, in areas with high SNAP purchasing power, higher fair market rents were linked to lower total kcal purchases for SNAP participants. The study found no significant connection between housing costs and food quality. These findings suggest that SNAP participation does not completely mitigate the nutritional challenges faced by low-income households in high-cost housing areas.