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Affordability & Cost of Living
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Measuring Affordability
Explainer

Affordability = Price Relative to Wages

Price change alone does not tell you whether something became more or less affordable.

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What This Graphic Shows

The graphic shows WP020's Affordability Index: a category price index divided by an average-hourly-earnings index, with January 2000 normalized to 100.

Key Takeaway

Affordability is relative: a price can rise while becoming more affordable if wages rise faster.

Verification Status:

Verified — Current

Last Verified:

September 21, 2026

Sources

Review the sources used to support this visual.

Ohio Common Ground Research Center

What Became More — and Less — Affordable Since 2000

September 10, 2026
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