Visual Library
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Affordability & Cost of Living
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Measuring Affordability
Explainer

Hours of Work Tell a Different Affordability Story

Converting a price into hours of work provides another way to compare affordability across time.

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What This Graphic Shows

The graphic divides defensible actual-dollar prices by an hourly earnings measure to estimate how much paid work is required to buy an item or service.

Key Takeaway

Hours of work connect prices directly to earning power, but only where comparable price and wage series exist.

Verification Status:

Verified — Current

Last Verified:

September 21, 2026

Sources

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Ohio Common Ground Research Center

What Became More — and Less — Affordable Since 2000

September 10, 2026
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