Research Briefing | Jan 21, 2022

US and Canada housing affordability edged down in Q3

US and Canada housing affordability edged down in Q3 - iPad

Our updated Housing Affordability Indices (HAIs) show affordability declined in Q3 2021 at the national level in the US and Canada as income gains and slightly lower mortgage rates weren’t enough to keep up with house prices. Potential buyers found homes remained most out of reach in Vancouver, Boise (Idaho), Portland (Oregon), Toronto, Las Vegas, San Jose, L.A., and Hamilton (Ontario).

What you will learn:

  • Our national US index rose 1pt to 0.78 in Q3 2021 from 0.77 in Q2, meaning prices were 22% lower than the median income households’ borrowing capacity.
  • US affordability in Q3 2021 deteriorated most sharply in the Sunbelt metros, led by Tampa (+6.9pts), Las Vegas (+5.9pts), and Austin (+5.7pts).
  • Our Canada-wide HAI rose 1pt to 1.36 in Q3 2021, meaning houses were 36% above median income households’ borrowing capacity.

Back to Resource Hub

Related Services

Post

US inflation still slowing, but not fast enough for seniors

The spotlight focused on this week’s consumer price report to see if it raises more questions about the Fed’s decision to cut rates so aggressively at its mid-September meeting.

Find Out More

Post

The US consumer will remain a pillar of strength

We are significantly raising our forecasts for consumer spending growth over the next few years. We expect real consumption growth to accelerate to 2.7% in 2025, up from our previous forecast of a slowdown to 2.1%.

Find Out More