Regional purchasing power

Cost of living and rent are related, but they do not measure the same burden

How can regional price levels improve a rent and income comparison?

The same rent can feel very different in two metros because housing is only one part of a household budget and the purchasing power of income varies by place. A nominal comparison misses that regional context; a cost-of-living index still cannot replace the household’s actual expenses.

RentMarker uses BEA Regional Price Parities to show how broad prices and housing costs differ from the national frame. Zillow rent and local income remain separate measures. The combined view helps identify a housing premium without pretending that a regional average is a relocation budget or an investor expense statement.

Adjust the context, not the facts. Regional price levels explain purchasing power; they do not rewrite the rent paid by a household.
Current evidence

Regional housing prices beside market rent

The evidence view shows where the housing component is unusually high or low relative to the broader regional price level.

378 direct metropolitan RPP records

Housing price level versus the broader local price level

Above the diagonal, housing is more elevated than the metro's all-items price level.

BEA housing RPP compared with all-items RPP by metropolitan areaScatter plot of 378 metropolitan areas. Both axes are regional price parity indexes where the United States equals 100. Points above the diagonal have a housing price level above their own all-items price level.40407070100100130130160160190190220220US = 100San Jose, CA: all items 110.4, housing 211.9, gap 101.5 pointsNapa, CA: all items 112.6, housing 197.4, gap 84.9 pointsSan Francisco, CA: all items 115.6, housing 194.7, gap 79.1 pointsSan Diego, CA: all items 111.9, housing 179.3, gap 67.4 pointsOxnard, CA: all items 110.5, housing 171.1, gap 60.6 pointsLos Angeles, CA: all items 113.6, housing 170.4, gap 56.9 pointsSanta Cruz, CA: all items 109.9, housing 164.3, gap 54.4 pointsBoulder, CO: all items 105.2, housing 157.0, gap 51.8 pointsJohnstown, PA: all items 85.9, housing 42.3, gap -43.6 pointsBridgeport, CT: all items 106.9, housing 150.5, gap 43.6 pointsSanta Maria, CA: all items 108.8, housing 151.4, gap 42.6 pointsWashington, DC: all items 108.9, housing 151.1, gap 42.3 pointsMiami, FL: all items 114.2, housing 155.6, gap 41.4 pointsParkersburg, WV: all items 87.1, housing 45.9, gap -41.2 pointsDenver, CO: all items 105.8, housing 146.9, gap 41.1 pointsMonroe, LA: all items 83.6, housing 42.8, gap -40.8 pointsSeattle, WA: all items 111.1, housing 151.3, gap 40.2 pointsBoston, MA: all items 108.3, housing 148.4, gap 40.2 pointsCharleston, WV: all items 88.7, housing 51.4, gap -37.3 pointsPaducah, KY: all items 86.1, housing 48.8, gap -37.3 pointsHuntington, WV: all items 88.4, housing 51.3, gap -37.2 pointsFlorence, AL: all items 84.8, housing 47.7, gap -37.1 pointsDothan, AL: all items 83.8, housing 46.9, gap -37.0 pointsWheeling, WV: all items 88.3, housing 51.4, gap -36.9 pointsBozeman, MT: all items 102.5, housing 139.2, gap 36.7 pointsWeirton, WV: all items 89.0, housing 52.4, gap -36.6 pointsSalinas, CA: all items 109.0, housing 145.7, gap 36.6 pointsHammond, LA: all items 84.5, housing 48.2, gap -36.3 pointsBeckley, WV: all items 88.4, housing 52.2, gap -36.1 pointsNew York, NY: all items 112.6, housing 148.6, gap 36.1 pointsTerre Haute, IN: all items 87.8, housing 51.9, gap -35.9 pointsSan Luis Obispo, CA: all items 108.6, housing 144.4, gap 35.8 pointsAltoona, PA: all items 89.5, housing 55.0, gap -34.5 pointsWatertown, NY: all items 87.7, housing 53.2, gap -34.5 pointsFlorence, SC: all items 86.8, housing 52.4, gap -34.3 pointsTexarkana, TX: all items 84.0, housing 49.9, gap -34.1 pointsErie, PA: all items 91.0, housing 56.8, gap -34.1 pointsLake Charles, LA: all items 85.9, housing 51.8, gap -34.1 pointsMansfield, OH: all items 88.9, housing 54.9, gap -34.0 pointsYoungstown, OH: all items 87.4, housing 53.4, gap -33.9 pointsHouma, LA: all items 85.1, housing 51.3, gap -33.8 pointsThe Villages, FL: all items 85.4, housing 51.7, gap -33.7 pointsVallejo, CA: all items 108.5, housing 142.0, gap 33.6 pointsAlbany, GA: all items 87.7, housing 54.6, gap -33.0 pointsOwensboro, KY: all items 88.6, housing 55.7, gap -32.9 pointsEnid, OK: all items 84.3, housing 51.4, gap -32.9 pointsShreveport, LA: all items 84.8, housing 52.3, gap -32.5 pointsFort Smith, AR: all items 85.9, housing 53.4, gap -32.4 pointsLima, OH: all items 89.7, housing 57.3, gap -32.4 pointsDecatur, IL: all items 88.4, housing 56.2, gap -32.2 pointsJonesboro, AR: all items 85.9, housing 53.8, gap -32.0 pointsAlexandria, LA: all items 85.7, housing 53.7, gap -32.0 pointsGadsden, AL: all items 85.7, housing 53.7, gap -32.0 pointsRocky Mount, NC: all items 88.0, housing 56.1, gap -31.9 pointsTrenton, NJ: all items 103.2, housing 135.1, gap 31.9 pointsSanta Rosa, CA: all items 107.8, housing 139.6, gap 31.8 pointsJoplin, MO: all items 85.7, housing 54.0, gap -31.7 pointsBrunswick, GA: all items 87.7, housing 56.3, gap -31.4 pointsCanton, OH: all items 89.4, housing 58.1, gap -31.3 pointsAnniston, AL: all items 85.9, housing 54.7, gap -31.2 pointsFarmington, NM: all items 87.7, housing 56.6, gap -31.2 pointsGreenville, NC: all items 88.4, housing 57.3, gap -31.1 pointsSt. Joseph, MO: all items 86.4, housing 55.4, gap -31.0 pointsGoldsboro, NC: all items 88.5, housing 57.7, gap -30.8 pointsMuncie, IN: all items 88.1, housing 57.5, gap -30.7 pointsKokomo, IN: all items 89.6, housing 59.3, gap -30.4 pointsEagle Pass, TX: all items 83.8, housing 53.7, gap -30.1 pointsMcAllen, TX: all items 85.9, housing 55.9, gap -30.0 pointsKingsport, TN: all items 86.4, housing 56.5, gap -30.0 pointsRome, GA: all items 90.2, housing 60.3, gap -29.9 pointsSandusky, OH: all items 89.3, housing 59.5, gap -29.8 pointsCape Girardeau, MO: all items 86.1, housing 56.4, gap -29.7 pointsMacon, GA: all items 88.5, housing 58.9, gap -29.6 pointsValdosta, GA: all items 88.3, housing 58.8, gap -29.5 pointsBattle Creek, MI: all items 90.5, housing 61.0, gap -29.5 pointsTuscaloosa, AL: all items 87.7, housing 58.2, gap -29.5 pointsDecatur, AL: all items 87.2, housing 58.1, gap -29.1 pointsPinehurst, NC: all items 88.3, housing 59.3, gap -29.0 pointsJackson, TN: all items 85.5, housing 56.6, gap -29.0 pointsHickory, NC: all items 88.5, housing 59.6, gap -28.9 pointsEl Centro, CA: all items 95.2, housing 66.3, gap -28.9 pointsSpringfield, OH: all items 90.5, housing 61.7, gap -28.8 pointsSioux City, IA: all items 86.5, housing 57.8, gap -28.6 pointsManchester, NH: all items 105.7, housing 134.2, gap 28.6 pointsLawton, OK: all items 85.9, housing 57.4, gap -28.6 pointsHot Springs, AR: all items 85.7, housing 57.3, gap -28.4 pointsLafayette, LA: all items 87.2, housing 58.8, gap -28.4 pointsBrownsville, TX: all items 86.0, housing 57.7, gap -28.3 pointsColumbus, GA: all items 89.3, housing 61.2, gap -28.1 pointsMobile, AL: all items 88.1, housing 60.1, gap -28.0 pointsWilliamsport, PA: all items 92.3, housing 64.4, gap -28.0 pointsCleveland, TN: all items 88.1, housing 60.3, gap -27.8 pointsHattiesburg, MS: all items 87.6, housing 60.1, gap -27.6 pointsPeoria, IL: all items 91.2, housing 63.8, gap -27.5 pointsMorristown, TN: all items 86.4, housing 59.0, gap -27.3 pointsSierra Vista, AZ: all items 89.2, housing 61.9, gap -27.3 pointsSaginaw, MI: all items 90.9, housing 63.6, gap -27.2 pointsLas Cruces, NM: all items 90.2, housing 63.0, gap -27.2 pointsLaredo, TX: all items 87.0, housing 59.7, gap -27.2 pointsSumter, SC: all items 88.0, housing 60.8, gap -27.2 pointsLebanon, PA: all items 93.2, housing 66.0, gap -27.2 pointsGrand Forks, ND: all items 86.7, housing 59.7, gap -27.0 pointsBowling Green, KY: all items 90.2, housing 63.4, gap -26.8 pointsUtica, NY: all items 92.7, housing 66.1, gap -26.6 pointsScranton, PA: all items 93.6, housing 67.0, gap -26.6 pointsDalton, GA: all items 89.8, housing 63.3, gap -26.5 pointsNaples, FL: all items 103.2, housing 129.4, gap 26.2 pointsElkhart, IN: all items 90.3, housing 64.3, gap -26.0 pointsAuburn, AL: all items 87.9, housing 62.1, gap -25.9 pointsJefferson City, MO: all items 88.0, housing 62.1, gap -25.9 pointsLewiston, ME: all items 94.7, housing 69.0, gap -25.7 pointsNorth Port, FL: all items 102.4, housing 128.0, gap 25.5 pointsLynchburg, VA: all items 89.4, housing 63.9, gap -25.5 pointsMontgomery, AL: all items 89.7, housing 64.3, gap -25.3 pointsBay City, MI: all items 91.9, housing 66.7, gap -25.2 pointsMidland, MI: all items 91.9, housing 66.7, gap -25.2 pointsIthaca, NY: all items 103.3, housing 128.4, gap 25.1 pointsTampa, FL: all items 100.9, housing 125.8, gap 24.9 pointsGrand Island, NE: all items 86.7, housing 61.7, gap -24.9 pointsEvansville, IN: all items 91.5, housing 66.7, gap -24.8 pointsJohnson City, TN: all items 87.9, housing 63.2, gap -24.8 pointsJackson, MI: all items 91.8, housing 67.1, gap -24.7 pointsUrban Honolulu, HI: all items 111.0, housing 135.5, gap 24.6 pointsAnn Arbor, MI: all items 100.9, housing 125.3, gap 24.4 pointsFond du Lac, WI: all items 91.6, housing 67.3, gap -24.3 pointsJackson, MS: all items 89.0, housing 64.8, gap -24.3 pointsMorgantown, WV: all items 93.3, housing 69.1, gap -24.2 pointsToledo, OH: all items 91.5, housing 67.3, gap -24.1 pointsBremerton, WA: all items 105.6, housing 129.6, gap 24.0 pointsWaterloo, IA: all items 87.1, housing 63.1, gap -23.9 pointsElizabethtown, KY: all items 90.6, housing 66.7, gap -23.9 pointsTopeka, KS: all items 88.8, housing 65.0, gap -23.8 pointsMinot, ND: all items 87.0, housing 63.2, gap -23.8 pointsSacramento, CA: all items 106.7, housing 130.2, gap 23.6 pointsDubuque, IA: all items 87.3, housing 64.0, gap -23.3 pointsMichigan City, IN: all items 91.7, housing 68.5, gap -23.2 pointsBinghamton, NY: all items 92.9, housing 69.7, gap -23.2 pointsSpartanburg, SC: all items 91.1, housing 68.0, gap -23.0 pointsSpringfield, MO: all items 88.6, housing 65.6, gap -23.0 pointsYakima, WA: all items 95.5, housing 72.6, gap -22.9 pointsStaunton, VA: all items 91.1, housing 68.2, gap -22.9 pointsRiverside, CA: all items 106.4, housing 129.3, gap 22.9 pointsCape Coral, FL: all items 102.3, housing 125.1, gap 22.8 pointsLongview, TX: all items 89.5, housing 66.7, gap -22.7 pointsChambersburg, PA: all items 94.6, housing 71.9, gap -22.7 pointsWichita, KS: all items 88.9, housing 66.2, gap -22.7 pointsPittsburgh, PA: all items 94.7, housing 72.0, gap -22.7 pointsSt. Cloud, MN: all items 87.6, housing 65.1, gap -22.6 pointsPocatello, ID: all items 88.9, housing 66.4, gap -22.5 pointsReno, NV: all items 101.0, housing 123.5, gap 22.5 pointsSalt Lake City, UT: all items 100.9, housing 123.3, gap 22.4 pointsLa Crosse, WI: all items 91.8, housing 69.4, gap -22.4 pointsAustin, TX: all items 98.1, housing 120.4, gap 22.3 pointsGulfport, MS: all items 90.0, housing 67.9, gap -22.1 pointsRockford, IL: all items 92.2, housing 70.1, gap -22.1 pointsOrlando, FL: all items 101.4, housing 123.4, gap 22.0 pointsPittsfield, MA: all items 95.1, housing 73.5, gap -21.7 pointsAppleton, WI: all items 92.4, housing 70.8, gap -21.6 pointsGettysburg, PA: all items 95.4, housing 73.9, gap -21.5 pointsWichita Falls, TX: all items 89.5, housing 68.2, gap -21.3 pointsAugusta, GA: all items 91.9, housing 70.6, gap -21.3 pointsWausau, WI: all items 92.7, housing 71.5, gap -21.2 pointsSpringfield, IL: all items 92.7, housing 71.6, gap -21.1 pointsChampaign, IL: all items 92.7, housing 71.6, gap -21.1 pointsLittle Rock, AR: all items 89.4, housing 68.3, gap -21.1 pointsTulsa, OK: all items 89.2, housing 68.2, gap -21.0 pointsNiles, MI: all items 92.4, housing 71.6, gap -20.8 pointsDavenport, IA: all items 89.1, housing 68.3, gap -20.7 pointsWinston, NC: all items 92.0, housing 71.4, gap -20.7 pointsVictoria, TX: all items 89.8, housing 69.3, gap -20.5 pointsPueblo, CO: all items 91.8, housing 71.3, gap -20.5 pointsFort Wayne, IN: all items 92.6, housing 72.3, gap -20.3 pointsSpringfield, MA: all items 96.1, housing 75.8, gap -20.3 pointsColumbia, MO: all items 89.4, housing 69.2, gap -20.2 pointsJacksonville, NC: all items 92.1, housing 72.1, gap -20.0 pointsEau Claire, WI: all items 92.8, housing 72.8, gap -19.9 pointsBirmingham, AL: all items 91.6, housing 71.9, gap -19.8 pointsNew Haven, CT: all items 104.6, housing 124.3, gap 19.7 pointsPortland, OR: all items 105.4, housing 125.1, gap 19.7 pointsAmes, IA: all items 88.8, housing 69.2, gap -19.7 pointsMerced, CA: all items 98.3, housing 78.6, gap -19.6 pointsCasper, WY: all items 93.8, housing 74.2, gap -19.6 pointsFort Collins, CO: all items 101.1, housing 120.6, gap 19.5 pointsLewiston, ID: all items 91.2, housing 71.9, gap -19.2 pointsBeaumont, TX: all items 90.0, housing 70.9, gap -19.1 pointsSebring, FL: all items 92.5, housing 73.5, gap -19.0 pointsFlint, MI: all items 93.0, housing 74.0, gap -19.0 pointsYuma, AZ: all items 92.7, housing 73.8, gap -18.9 pointsFayetteville, NC: all items 92.0, housing 73.1, gap -18.9 pointsMonroe, MI: all items 93.5, housing 74.6, gap -18.9 pointsBloomington, IL: all items 93.5, housing 74.7, gap -18.8 pointsBangor, ME: all items 96.5, housing 77.7, gap -18.8 pointsCharleston, SC: all items 101.0, housing 119.8, gap 18.8 pointsEl Paso, TX: all items 89.9, housing 71.2, gap -18.7 pointsGlens Falls, NY: all items 94.9, housing 76.2, gap -18.6 pointsLawrence, KS: all items 90.2, housing 71.6, gap -18.6 pointsOshkosh, WI: all items 92.9, housing 74.4, gap -18.5 pointsHagerstown, MD: all items 94.2, housing 75.7, gap -18.4 pointsGreen Bay, WI: all items 93.1, housing 74.7, gap -18.4 pointsGreensboro, NC: all items 92.9, housing 74.5, gap -18.3 pointsBlacksburg, VA: all items 92.7, housing 74.4, gap -18.3 pointsMuskegon, MI: all items 92.5, housing 74.2, gap -18.3 pointsTwin Falls, ID: all items 92.1, housing 73.8, gap -18.3 pointsSouth Bend, IN: all items 92.9, housing 74.6, gap -18.3 pointsManhattan, KS: all items 90.2, housing 72.0, gap -18.2 pointsElmira, NY: all items 94.4, housing 76.4, gap -18.0 pointsPhoenix, AZ: all items 103.3, housing 121.2, gap 17.9 pointsGrants Pass, OR: all items 97.8, housing 79.9, gap -17.8 pointsDuluth, MN: all items 88.8, housing 71.1, gap -17.6 pointsOgden, UT: all items 100.3, housing 117.9, gap 17.6 pointsColumbus, IN: all items 93.0, housing 75.5, gap -17.5 pointsCedar Rapids, IA: all items 89.0, housing 71.4, gap -17.5 pointsClarksville, TN: all items 90.9, housing 73.8, gap -17.1 pointsLafayette, IN: all items 93.4, housing 76.4, gap -17.0 pointsRapid City, SD: all items 89.2, housing 72.6, gap -16.6 pointsBaton Rouge, LA: all items 90.8, housing 74.2, gap -16.6 pointsAkron, OH: all items 93.4, housing 76.8, gap -16.6 pointsAthens, GA: all items 93.3, housing 76.8, gap -16.6 pointsAbilene, TX: all items 90.4, housing 73.8, gap -16.6 pointsOklahoma City, OK: all items 90.4, housing 73.9, gap -16.5 pointsGreenville, SC: all items 93.3, housing 76.8, gap -16.4 pointsYork, PA: all items 96.0, housing 79.8, gap -16.2 pointsBillings, MT: all items 93.5, housing 77.4, gap -16.2 pointsSt. Louis, MO: all items 95.1, housing 79.0, gap -16.1 pointsCollege Station, TX: all items 91.0, housing 75.1, gap -15.9 pointsLexington, KY: all items 92.9, housing 77.1, gap -15.8 pointsVisalia, CA: all items 99.8, housing 84.1, gap -15.8 pointsColorado Springs, CO: all items 100.7, housing 116.2, gap 15.5 pointsTallahassee, FL: all items 93.9, housing 78.5, gap -15.4 pointsLas Vegas, NV: all items 100.2, housing 115.5, gap 15.3 pointsBurlington, NC: all items 93.2, housing 77.9, gap -15.3 pointsTraverse City, MI: all items 93.4, housing 78.1, gap -15.2 pointsHuntsville, AL: all items 93.1, housing 77.9, gap -15.1 pointsRoanoke, VA: all items 93.6, housing 78.5, gap -15.1 pointsSyracuse, NY: all items 95.7, housing 80.7, gap -15.1 pointsHomosassa Springs, FL: all items 93.5, housing 78.4, gap -15.0 pointsLongview, WA: all items 97.5, housing 82.5, gap -15.0 pointsLubbock, TX: all items 91.3, housing 76.4, gap -15.0 pointsChattanooga, TN: all items 91.5, housing 76.5, gap -14.9 pointsBuffalo, NY: all items 95.8, housing 81.0, gap -14.9 pointsDallas, TX: all items 103.1, housing 117.9, gap 14.8 pointsWarner Robins, GA: all items 93.8, housing 79.2, gap -14.6 pointsLouisville, KY: all items 93.1, housing 78.6, gap -14.5 pointsCleveland, OH: all items 93.9, housing 79.4, gap -14.5 pointsHinesville, GA: all items 93.9, housing 79.5, gap -14.5 pointsFayetteville, AR: all items 91.4, housing 76.9, gap -14.5 pointsLake Havasu City, AZ: all items 94.1, housing 79.8, gap -14.3 pointsColumbia, SC: all items 93.7, housing 79.5, gap -14.2 pointsJanesville, WI: all items 93.7, housing 79.6, gap -14.2 pointsBaltimore, MD: all items 104.5, housing 118.2, gap 13.7 pointsSheboygan, WI: all items 94.0, housing 80.5, gap -13.5 pointsAmarillo, TX: all items 91.8, housing 78.4, gap -13.4 pointsPort St. Lucie, FL: all items 100.2, housing 113.6, gap 13.4 pointsKalamazoo, MI: all items 94.8, housing 81.6, gap -13.3 pointsKilleen, TX: all items 91.1, housing 77.9, gap -13.2 pointsSioux Falls, SD: all items 90.6, housing 77.6, gap -13.0 pointsOlympia, WA: all items 103.7, housing 116.7, gap 13.0 pointsPunta Gorda, FL: all items 100.5, housing 113.3, gap 12.8 pointsHarrisonburg, VA: all items 94.9, housing 82.3, gap -12.6 pointsGreeley, CO: all items 100.2, housing 112.6, gap 12.4 pointsMemphis, TN: all items 92.2, housing 79.8, gap -12.4 pointsTyler, TX: all items 92.2, housing 79.9, gap -12.2 pointsRochester, MN: all items 90.8, housing 78.6, gap -12.2 pointsVineland, NJ: all items 96.0, housing 83.9, gap -12.1 pointsWalla Walla, WA: all items 98.5, housing 86.6, gap -11.9 pointsPalm Bay, FL: all items 100.0, housing 111.7, gap 11.7 pointsReading, PA: all items 97.1, housing 85.4, gap -11.6 pointsLansing, MI: all items 95.0, housing 83.5, gap -11.5 pointsRedding, CA: all items 100.7, housing 89.4, gap -11.3 pointsWenatchee, WA: all items 103.9, housing 115.0, gap 11.1 pointsState College, PA: all items 96.8, housing 85.7, gap -11.1 pointsMankato, MN: all items 91.0, housing 79.9, gap -11.1 pointsSan Angelo, TX: all items 92.5, housing 81.4, gap -11.0 pointsAtlanta, GA: all items 100.1, housing 111.0, gap 11.0 pointsFairbanks, AK: all items 103.2, housing 92.6, gap -10.6 pointsBakersfield, CA: all items 100.9, housing 90.3, gap -10.6 pointsPhiladelphia, PA: all items 102.6, housing 113.1, gap 10.6 pointsStockton, CA: all items 105.1, housing 115.6, gap 10.5 pointsMyrtle Beach, SC: all items 93.6, housing 83.1, gap -10.5 pointsWorcester, MA: all items 102.5, housing 113.0, gap 10.5 pointsIdaho Falls, ID: all items 94.4, housing 84.0, gap -10.4 pointsCorvallis, OR: all items 104.0, housing 114.4, gap 10.4 pointsJacksonville, FL: all items 99.5, housing 109.8, gap 10.3 pointsKahului, HI: all items 109.4, housing 119.2, gap 9.8 pointsKnoxville, TN: all items 92.6, housing 82.8, gap -9.8 pointsFargo, ND: all items 90.9, housing 81.1, gap -9.7 pointsBellingham, WA: all items 103.3, housing 112.9, gap 9.6 pointsRochester, NY: all items 97.0, housing 87.5, gap -9.6 pointsBloomington, IN: all items 95.1, housing 85.6, gap -9.5 pointsKingston, NY: all items 100.7, housing 110.2, gap 9.5 pointsChico, CA: all items 101.2, housing 91.9, gap -9.3 pointsSanta Fe, NM: all items 98.8, housing 108.0, gap 9.2 pointsSavannah, GA: all items 95.2, housing 86.0, gap -9.2 pointsGrand Junction, CO: all items 95.5, housing 86.4, gap -9.1 pointsWaco, TX: all items 92.5, housing 83.5, gap -9.0 pointsDeltona, FL: all items 99.4, housing 108.4, gap 9.0 pointsOcala, FL: all items 95.2, housing 86.2, gap -9.0 pointsGrand Rapids, MI: all items 95.5, housing 86.6, gap -8.9 pointsFlagstaff, AZ: all items 100.3, housing 109.0, gap 8.6 pointsChicago, IL: all items 103.6, housing 112.0, gap 8.4 pointsBarnstable Town, MA: all items 98.4, housing 90.0, gap -8.3 pointsNashville, TN: all items 96.3, housing 104.6, gap 8.3 pointsHanford, CA: all items 101.6, housing 93.5, gap -8.1 pointsCharlottesville, VA: all items 99.1, housing 107.0, gap 7.9 pointsCorpus Christi, TX: all items 92.7, housing 84.9, gap -7.8 pointsCincinnati, OH: all items 95.4, housing 87.6, gap -7.8 pointsColumbus, OH: all items 95.5, housing 87.9, gap -7.5 pointsIowa City, IA: all items 91.5, housing 84.0, gap -7.5 pointsHartford, CT: all items 102.7, housing 110.2, gap 7.5 pointsLincoln, NE: all items 91.6, housing 84.2, gap -7.4 pointsCoeur d'Alene, ID: all items 98.3, housing 105.6, gap 7.3 pointsBoise City, ID: all items 98.4, housing 105.6, gap 7.2 pointsMinneapolis, MN: all items 104.8, housing 111.8, gap 7.0 pointsBismarck, ND: all items 91.0, housing 84.0, gap -7.0 pointsDes Moines, IA: all items 91.7, housing 84.7, gap -7.0 pointsNorwich, CT: all items 100.4, housing 93.7, gap -6.8 pointsIndianapolis, IN: all items 95.7, housing 88.9, gap -6.8 pointsSalem, OR: all items 103.6, housing 110.3, gap 6.7 pointsCheyenne, WY: all items 96.5, housing 89.8, gap -6.7 pointsNew Orleans, LA: all items 92.6, housing 86.0, gap -6.6 pointsWinchester, VA: all items 96.5, housing 90.0, gap -6.4 pointsFresno, CA: all items 102.2, housing 95.7, gap -6.4 pointsAlbuquerque, NM: all items 95.5, housing 89.2, gap -6.4 pointsBend, OR: all items 103.6, housing 110.0, gap 6.4 pointsKansas City, MO: all items 92.5, housing 86.6, gap -5.9 pointsHouston, TX: all items 98.6, housing 104.5, gap 5.9 pointsProvo, UT: all items 98.2, housing 104.1, gap 5.8 pointsMount Vernon, WA: all items 102.4, housing 108.2, gap 5.7 pointsMidland, TX: all items 95.8, housing 101.5, gap 5.7 pointsDetroit, MI: all items 100.3, housing 94.7, gap -5.6 pointsAllentown, PA: all items 100.0, housing 105.5, gap 5.6 pointsDaphne, AL: all items 94.7, housing 89.2, gap -5.5 pointsHelena, MT: all items 95.7, housing 90.1, gap -5.5 pointsOmaha, NE: all items 91.9, housing 86.4, gap -5.5 pointsRaleigh, NC: all items 98.2, housing 103.5, gap 5.3 pointsKennewick, WA: all items 100.1, housing 94.8, gap -5.3 pointsTucson, AZ: all items 96.9, housing 91.8, gap -5.1 pointsLogan, UT: all items 95.9, housing 91.0, gap -5.0 pointsAnchorage, AK: all items 105.4, housing 109.9, gap 4.5 pointsLancaster, PA: all items 98.3, housing 93.8, gap -4.4 pointsModesto, CA: all items 104.1, housing 108.5, gap 4.4 pointsSherman, TX: all items 93.8, housing 89.5, gap -4.3 pointsOdessa, TX: all items 93.9, housing 89.7, gap -4.2 pointsYuba City, CA: all items 104.2, housing 108.3, gap 4.0 pointsRacine, WI: all items 96.0, housing 92.0, gap -3.9 pointsMedford, OR: all items 101.4, housing 97.7, gap -3.8 pointsGainesville, FL: all items 96.7, housing 93.0, gap -3.8 pointsKankakee, IL: all items 96.4, housing 92.9, gap -3.5 pointsSebastian, FL: all items 98.3, housing 101.6, gap 3.3 pointsPortland, ME: all items 101.9, housing 105.2, gap 3.3 pointsSpokane, WA: all items 100.3, housing 97.1, gap -3.3 pointsGainesville, GA: all items 96.8, housing 93.5, gap -3.3 pointsHilton Head Island, SC: all items 98.0, housing 101.2, gap 3.2 pointsEugene, OR: all items 101.6, housing 98.3, gap -3.2 pointsWilmington, NC: all items 96.4, housing 93.2, gap -3.2 pointsAsheville, NC: all items 96.5, housing 93.4, gap -3.1 pointsCarson City, NV: all items 98.1, housing 101.2, gap 3.0 pointsAlbany, NY: all items 99.6, housing 102.6, gap 3.0 pointsBurlington, VT: all items 100.9, housing 103.8, gap 2.9 pointsMadison, WI: all items 97.3, housing 99.7, gap 2.5 pointsHarrisburg, PA: all items 98.7, housing 96.3, gap -2.4 pointsCrestview, FL: all items 97.0, housing 94.9, gap -2.1 pointsProvidence, RI: all items 101.8, housing 103.9, gap 2.1 pointsVirginia Beach, VA: all items 97.9, housing 99.8, gap 1.9 pointsDover, DE: all items 97.5, housing 95.9, gap -1.6 pointsMissoula, MT: all items 96.4, housing 94.9, gap -1.5 pointsDurham, NC: all items 97.6, housing 98.9, gap 1.4 pointsRichmond, VA: all items 97.9, housing 99.1, gap 1.3 pointsLakeland, FL: all items 97.1, housing 95.9, gap -1.2 pointsPensacola, FL: all items 97.7, housing 98.8, gap 1.1 pointsAlbany, OR: all items 102.1, housing 101.1, gap -1.0 pointsPanama City, FL: all items 97.3, housing 96.4, gap -0.9 pointsSt. George, UT: all items 97.3, housing 98.1, gap 0.8 pointsCharlotte, NC: all items 97.3, housing 97.6, gap 0.3 pointsGreat Falls, MT: all items 96.8, housing 97.1, gap 0.3 pointsAtlantic City, NJ: all items 98.9, housing 98.7, gap -0.2 pointsMilwaukee, WI: all items 96.9, housing 97.1, gap 0.2 pointsSan Antonio, TX: all items 94.7, housing 94.6, gap -0.1 pointsSan JoseNapaSan FranciscoSan DiegoOxnardLos AngelesBEA all-items RPP →BEA housing RPP →
RPP compares price levels across places for 2024; it is not annual inflation. Orange points carry a positive housing-minus-all-items gap, while emerald points carry a negative gap.
What the current contract says

Read the distribution before the example

The study covers 378 metros with BEA and rental evidence. 99 show a housing price-level premium relative to their all-items level. San Jose, CA has the widest positive gap in the current release.

Markets compared378BEA-matched metros
Median all items93.5regional price level
Median housing78.5housing component
Largest premium gap101.5San Jose, CA
Open San Jose, CA
01
Read the index

Regional price levels compare places, not month-to-month inflation

BEA Regional Price Parities describe how price levels differ across regions for a given period. They are designed for spatial comparison. A value above the national frame indicates a relatively expensive local basket; it does not mean prices rose by that amount during the year.

The all-items measure covers more than housing, while the housing component isolates a large budget category. The gap between them helps show whether housing is a distinctive local premium or part of a broadly expensive market. Neither series is a quote for one renter’s consumption pattern.

02
Keep rent direct

Cost-of-living context should sit beside rent, not replace it

A market rent index remains the direct evidence for the current asking-rent environment. Regional price levels explain the surrounding purchasing-power context. Converting one into the other with an informal adjustment can create a number that belongs to no published source and hides the definitions behind both.

For relocation, the household should compare after-tax income, housing, transportation, health care, child care and other relevant costs. For a property, the investor should compare achievable rent with taxes, insurance, labor and services. The shared regional context informs both decisions without making them identical.

03
Compare income carefully

High nominal wages may buy less—and still support expensive housing

Expensive regions often pay higher nominal wages, but the uplift can be broad or concentrated. Median household income gives one scale; occupation wages show which workers receive it. A strong housing premium with narrow wage support may leave a smaller renter pool than the headline income suggests.

Lower-cost regions can offer more purchasing power while posting lower nominal rents and wages. That does not automatically improve property returns because acquisition price, operating expenses, vacancy and demand growth also change. Cost context helps interpret rent; it does not calculate the investment outcome.

04
Use a real budget

The decision belongs to the household or property cost structure

A renter may save on housing and spend more on transportation, or pay more for a location that reduces commuting and time costs. A broad regional average cannot know that choice. The practical step is to build a budget around the household’s actual work location, needs and services.

An owner faces a different basket: insurance, taxes, repairs, utilities, contractors and management. Some follow local price pressure more closely than others. After cost-of-living evidence identifies an expensive operating environment, quotes and property records must replace assumptions before underwriting.

Decision workflow

Use cost context without inventing an adjusted rent

  1. 1
    Separate place from time

    Use regional price levels for geographic comparison, not as an inflation rate.

  2. 2
    Keep housing visible

    Compare the housing component with all items to identify a local premium.

  3. 3
    Test wage breadth

    Look beyond one median to the occupations supporting the rent segment.

  4. 4
    Build the real budget

    Replace averages with household expenses or property operating quotes.

Questions readers ask

Keep the boundary of the evidence visible

These answers are part of the article and the structured data. They state what the current sources can support—and where property-level evidence must take over.

Is Regional Price Parity the same as inflation?

No. It compares price levels across places for a period. Inflation measures change over time. The concepts answer different questions.

Can I divide rent by a cost-of-living index to find fair rent?

That creates a synthetic figure that neither source publishes. Keep the direct rent evidence and regional price context separate.

Does a lower-cost metro guarantee better rental returns?

No. Return also depends on purchase price, achievable rent, expenses, vacancy, financing and demand. Cost of living is one context signal.

Continue with the evidence

Compare housing premiums with income and rent

The research table keeps the BEA price-level measures, current market rent and local resources visible so you can identify which budget deserves a closer look.

Open Market Fit Open full research
Source ledger

The releases behind the examples

Every market figure above is rebuilt from these current public-source releases.

acs incomeCensus ACS 5-year — household income and gross rentACS 2024 5-year · retrieved 2026-08-05bea rppBEA Regional Price Parities — metropolitan price levels2024 Regional Price Parities (released 2026-02-19); history 2008-2024 · retrieved 2026-08-03bls cesBLS CES — payroll employmentCES SM current · retrieved 2026-07-26bls lausBLS LAUS — resident employmentLAUS current · retrieved 2026-07-26cbsa delineationOMB/BLS delineation — metro geographyOMB July 2023 delineation · retrieved 2026-07-30zillow zoriZillow ZORI — metro market rentsMetro_zori_uc_sfrcondomfr_sm_sa_month.csv · retrieved 2026-07-26