What does this measure?

The proportion of household income that goes towards monthly rent, utilities, and fuel, calculated by dividing median rent by median income. The ratio is presented for renters of various racial and ethnic groups.

Why is this important?

This figure indicates how affordable housing is for renters. The federal Housing and Urban Development Department guideline for affordability is that rent should consume no more than 30% of household income.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

Rent was affordable for all racial and ethnic groups in the region, but consumed 27% of median household income for black residents in 2000, the latest year for which reliable racial and ethnic breakdowns are available. That is close to the 30% affordability threshold. White and Asian renters in the region spent the lowest proportion of income on rent at 15% and 17% respectively. Rental housing was less affordable for Hispanic renters and renters of two or more races, at 23% of income. Blacks were the only group in the region spending more of their income on rent than their counterparts in the state and nation.

Notes about the data

In calculating the ratio, figures were adjusted to 2007 dollars and regional medians were calculated by weighting county medians based on share of population.