Site factors transportation into housing affordability

The Brookings Institution and the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) launched a new Website, htaindex.cnt.org, that examines the affordability of housing based on location and transportation costs in 52 metropolitan areas.  

“Understanding transportation costs and having access to good transportation choices can help households significantly lower their cost of living,” said CNT president Scott Bernstein, in a statement.  

The report finds the three primary dependent variables in the household transportation model — auto ownership, auto use and transit ridership — and the two primary independent variables — residential density and household income — to determine what the true cost of living will be after purchasing a home.