Losing Ground: The Struggle of Moderate-Income Households to Afford the Rising Costs of Housing and Transportation

This report looks at housing and transportation costs for moderate-income households in 25 metro areas. It finds that from 2000-2010 housing and transportation costs increased at a greater rate than income, and that moderate-income households pay a disproportionate share of those costs. A case study of neighborhoods in the Philadelphia metro area is included to demonstrate the effect of transportation cost burdens on overall affordability of housing and transportation. A case study of the Los Angeles metro area demonstrates how expenses for housing and transportation negatively impact the overall household budget. The report concludes with policy implications and steps needed to reduce the combined costs of housing and transportation.