Is housing affordability associated with shorter commutes for low-income workers?

Abstract

Housing prices have increased at an alarming rate: In 2000, the average price of a house in the U.S. was about $212,000; by the end of 2022, it was more than $552,000. Rising housing prices in dense urban areas, in particular, may place significant constraints on the residential location of low-income households and, in so doing, limit their ability to live in neighborhoods with suitable employment. Such dynamics are particularly acute in coastal areas, where limited housing supply amidst high housing demand have pushed up housing prices compared to inland areas.