Cost of Living

Elderly woman enters house with help from caregiver who is holding her hands

The Challenges of Aging in Place

Seniors in one Bay Area community want to stay in their communities, but many find the cost of living and maintaining older homes prohibitive.

June 5, 2023 - Palo Alto Online

Two people carry groceries in plastic grocery bags.

When Costs of Living Outpace Housing Costs

Even when they qualify for affordable rents, tenants in high-cost neighborhoods find themselves shut out of essential amenities and services.

May 10, 2022 - The New York Times

European City

Watch: Public Transit Goes Fare-Free in Luxembourg, Starting March 1

On March 1, Luxembourg will be the first country in the world to make all its public transit free to ride.

February 25, 2020 - Tom Scott on YouTube

I-45 and I-69

Houston More Expensive Than New York? Not So Fast

A recent study claiming that transportation costs in Houston, among other expenses, raise the cost of living almost to the same level as living in New York City. Some took exception to the study's methodology.

January 29, 2020 - E21

Houston Metro

Houston Just as Expensive as New York City, Study Says

The extra costs of automobile dependency turn assumptions about affordability on their head, according to a recently published report by the Citizens Budget Commission.

January 21, 2020 - Texas Monthly

Tiny House

The Downsides of Tiny House Living

Advocates argue the array of small dwelling options provide much-needed affordable housing. But, living in these units, many of which are extremely small, isn't the alternative many people would choose.

October 7, 2019 - Fast Company

Oakland Architecture in Music Video

Does Oakland Have a Future as a Public City?

The city is experiencing significant growth and development, but it has a complicated history of booms and lags and its civic future is uncertain.

May 30, 2019 - Places Journal

San Francisco

Maps: Where Teachers Can Afford Housing in California

Teachers can't afford to live in the neighborhoods where they teach in California—the biggest gap between teachers' wages and the cost of housing is found in the Bay Area.

April 19, 2019 - EdSource

Luxembourg Bus

What’s Behind the Free Transit Coming to Luxembourg

All of the country’s buses, trains, and trams will be free starting next year in a move to help residents struggling with the cost of living.

February 6, 2019 - BBC

Manhattan, New York City

Report: Location-Based Rent Premiums Are a Good Investment

If the rent is too damn high, it might still be a good investment.

August 30, 2018 - CityLab

Trailer Park

How Mobile Homes Fill a 'Critical Gap' in Affordable Housing

Cities across America have a housing crisis on their hands—should they be talking more about trailer parks?

April 27, 2018 - CityLab

California

Silicon Valley Isn't Really Over

Though a handful of recent articles predicted "peak Silicon Valley," new numbers show the region is still producing lots of good jobs and attracting plenty of venture capital.

March 22, 2018 - Bloomberg View

Mt. Rainier

Census: Seattle Quickly Ascending the Ranks of Most Expensive Cities to Rent

New American Community Survey Data reveals the cities where renters are paying the most.

December 7, 2017 - The Seattle Times

California

A Proposal to Plan Regionally in the Silicon Valley

Could development fights in the home of the biggest tech companies be avoided if cities just talked to each other?

November 30, 2017 - The Mercury News

California's Low Unemployment Hides High Levels of Poverty

Because of its high cost of living, California has the nation's highest poverty level, according to the U.S. Census.

September 1, 2017 - CALmatters

Capitol Hill

Do Members of Congress Need a Housing Stipend?

The cost of living in Washington, D.C. might make it difficult for less wealthy members of Congress to pay rent or mortgages in their home state and the seat of power. Thus, a surprising voice has suggested housing assistance for Congress.

June 29, 2017 - The Hill

Pittsburgh at Night

What Makes For a 'Day 1 City'?

Can we use Jeff Bezos's distinction between "Day 1" and "Day 2" companies to compare cities? If so, Pittsburgh may be a prime example of the former.

May 1, 2017 - Hacker Noon

Homeless

Homeless Rates Climbing in Washington, D.C.

With rapidly rising costs of living, one study shows the number of homeless in the nation's capital is double the national average.

January 5, 2017 - The New York Times

Power Lines

Comparing Energy Costs in Cities Around the Country

Residents of Rust Belt cities might pay less for housing, but they pay a lot more for energy.

October 14, 2016 - Redfin

Shoup Op-Ed: Planners Can Help the Poor By Reducing Parking Requirements

Put another way, Shoup's case against parking requirements is that they make life harder for the poor.

March 4, 2016 - The Washington Post

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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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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.