Jul 30 Biggest apartment construction boom in decades likely to bring renters uneven relief By Alex Veiga, Associated Press When viewed through a wide lens, renters across the U.S. finally appear to be getting some relief, thanks in part to the biggest apartment construction boom in decades. But a closer look shows the trend will likely be little comfort… Continue reading
Jul 05 Watch 7:01 Skyrocketing cost of living threatens Austin’s status as live music capital of the world By Laura Barrón-López, Tess Conciatori, Sam Lane For more than a decade, the Austin area has been the fastest-growing large metro region in the country. That explosion has brought sweeping changes to the Texas capital and its renowned music scene. Laura Barrón-López reports for our arts and… Continue watching
Jan 29 Analysis: Cost of living may be rising faster for rural Americans By Stephan Weiler, Tessa Conroy, The Conversation When the Federal Reserve convenes at the end of January 2023 to set interest rates, it will be guided by one key bit of data: the U.S. inflation rate. The problem is, that stat ignores a sizable chunk of the… Continue reading
Jan 11 Report warns the cost-of-living crisis may overshadow climate change By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press A report by the World Economic Forum says climate change is the global economy's biggest long-term challenge but one the world is least prepared to tackle because of short-term problems led by a cost-of-living crisis. Continue reading
Jan 06 European inflation slows but cost of living remains high By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press Europe ended a bad year for inflation with some relief as price gains eased again. While the cost of living is still painfully high, the slowdown is a sign that the worst might be over for weary consumers. Continue reading
Jun 12 Watch 4:56 Skyrocketing home prices and rents create housing crisis In today's highly competitive housing market, millions of Americans are priced out of buying a home, often competing with all-cash offers well above asking prices. Rents are skyrocketing, too, causing overall housing affordability to collapse at its fastest rate on… Continue watching
Jun 06 Watch 7:56 How ‘green gentrification’ is pricing out longtime East Boston residents By Paul Solman, Ryan Connelly Holmes The city of Boston faces two enormous problems: Sea level rise in its harbor that is getting worse with climate change and a dearth of affordable housing, pricing out many longtime residents. Solutions to one of the problems may compound… Continue watching
Oct 02 Why Social Security’s annual increase doesn’t actually keep up with cost of living By Paul Solman The government adjusts Social Security benefits each year based on inflation rates, but that increase has not kept up with the rising cost of medical care and other expenses. Continue reading
Jul 13 Two African cities top list of most expensive places for American expats By Xander Landen Luanda, Angola is the most expensive city in the world for Americans to live, according to Mercer’s 2014 Cost of Living Rankings released this month. N’Djamena, Chad, took the second-place spot. Continue reading
Jan 02 Watch Should lawmakers repeal cuts to military pensions? When Congress reached a budget deal to fund the federal government, one of the controversial items they agreed to was a cut in military pensions. But does this break a promise to those who have served? Jeffrey Brown gets perspective… Continue watching