As coastal real estate markets—especially in California—grow more expensive, it’s harder for teachers to afford a home. A recent article breaks down the affordability of homes for teachers around the country.
Conor Dougherty provides analysis and commentary on recent data provided by Redfin that captures housing affordability for teachers in every market served by the brokerage.
“San Jose, in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, is the worst place for a teacher to buy a home, according to Redfin. There, only 1% of homes are affordable, which in this case means a median-earning teacher wouldn’t have to spend more than 28% of their pre-tax income on their monthly mortgage, taxes and insurance payment.”
California is home to most of the least affordable real estate markets for teachers—but not all. Colorado and Texas also make the top ten: “The same problem exists throughout coastal California. Half of the top 10 least affordable places for teachers are in the Golden State…Four are in Colorado and the other is Austin Texas.”
The article also includes an extensive chart listing median salary, maximum affordable price, and percentage of affordable or-sale homes, among other data points, for markets all over the country.
FULL STORY: Where Can a Teacher Afford to Buy a Home?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont