Americans are increasingly finding buying a new home beyond their means. The typical “starter home” now costs 54 percent more than it did five years ago, and is worth at least $1 million in 237 cities (the highest number of cities ever). Half of them are in California.
Affordability is the worst in cities with the most restrictive building regulations.
As for renters, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is rising at the fastest rate in a year. This month, the typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment rose to $1,531 l, while two-bedroom homes are going for an average of to $1,911. That’s more than many people’s Social Security monthly payments.