Jobs–Housing Balance Re-Re-Visited

Problem, research strategy, and findings In many U.S. metropolitan areas housing costs have skyrocketed in recent years relative to average incomes. A worsening shortage of affordable these metros may push households away from job-rich cities expensive neighborhoods into outlying areas, where is cheaper but jobs are more distant. To examine this issue, we revisit the jobs–housing balance, a popular topic 1990s, with focus on relationship between spatial location workers jobs. Our analysis draws data Longitudinal Employer–Household Dynamics Origin–Destination Employment Statistics (LODES) for California 2002 2015. contrast earlier balance research, find that becoming less self-contained over time, defined as decline number who both live work within jurisdiction commuters travel either or out city work. Statistical models show self-containment was higher lower and, 2015, greater employed residents.Takeaway practice The deepening affordability crisis like those found pushing farther apart, increasing economic, social, environmental commuting. Policies increase supply high–housing cost could help reverse troubling trend, though they likely meet considerable resistance. also underscore importance efforts include extend beyond production, such policies better match job skills prices characteristics workers.