Urban Institute Launches American Affordability Tracker to Monitor Rising Costs and Financial Strain
The Urban Institute has introduced the American Affordability Tracker, a new tool designed to provide clear and timely data on the rising costs of essential goods and services across the United States. The tracker aims to help policymakers and community leaders understand how increasing expenses affect residents and identify areas where financial pressures are most acute. According to Urban Institute research, nearly half of individuals in American families lack the financial resources to cover essential living expenses securely. Since 2017, average earnings nationwide have increased by approximately 43%, while home sale prices have surged by 81% and rents by 54%. The cost of the lowest-cost Silver health plan on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace has risen by 77%, and childcare costs have also seen dramatic increases. The tracker monitors trends in housing, healthcare, childcare, energy, gas, and other essential expenses, alongside earnings and indicators of financial distress, providing data at national...
