Skip to main content
?WHY IS
RENT HIGH?
Why rent is highSolutionsEvidenceChartsLibrary
Take action
HomeWhy rent is highSolutionsEvidenceChartsLibraryTake action
  1. Charts
  2. House prices soared while physical construction costs stayed comparatively flat.
?WHY IS
RENT HIGH?
What makes homes expensive

House prices soared while physical construction costs stayed comparatively flat.

The gap points away from materials and labor alone as the explanation for high home prices.

FROM THE PAPERFigure 1 · Real construction costs and house prices
Published line chart of real U.S. house prices and real construction costs from 1980 to 2013.

Source: Gyourko & Molloy (2015) · Figure 1; PDF p. 4

Keep in mind: The gap also contains land value, location, financing, and other non-structure costs; it is not a regulation estimate by itself.

Share the evidence

House prices soared while physical construction costs stayed comparatively flat.

The gap points away from materials and labor alone as the explanation for high home prices.

Source
Gyourko & Molloy (2015)
Figure
Figure 1 · Real construction costs and house prices · Figure 1; PDF p. 4
Keep in mind
The gap also contains land value, location, financing, and other non-structure costs; it is not a regulation estimate by itself.
Download PNGRead study notesBrowse all charts →
?WHY IS
RENT HIGH?

Too many people are chasing too few homes. See why—and what communities can do about it.

HomeWhy rent is highSolutionsEvidenceChartsResearch libraryCommon questionsTake action