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Civic Quality

Civic Quality measures the affordability of a region, the health and safety of its citizens, and the recreational opportunities that impact its quality of life.

Best Practices & Deeper Dives

How to Read the Tiles How to Read the Tiles

Affordability

The affordability of a community cannot be assessed by just looking at the cost of expenditures. The cost of housing must be viewed in the context of the income that can be earned in the community. Generally, housing costs should not exceed 30 percent of a household's total income. As housing costs climb in some areas, wages have failed to keep pace, and this discrepancy may put a large segment of the population at risk. Transportation costs are a family’s second highest expense, behind housing.

Share of Transportation Expenditures
Share of Housing Expenditures
Share of Housing and Transportation Expenditures

2025 TAKEAWAYS

Affordability metrics got a little better, with housing and transportation expenditures as a percentage of income falling from 57% to 55.35%, and housing expenditures alone improving to 41.15%. Transportation costs saw marginal improvements, with expenditures falling to 14.20% of income, but the ranking held at 18th place.

INCREASING VALUES

  • Households may experience challenges paying for basic needs
  • Residents may be forced to relocate to find more affordable housing options within the state, or elsewhere.

DECREASING VALUES

  • Improvements in overall wage and income may reflect higher paying jobs relative to expenditures
  • May also reflect the creation of more affordable transportation and housing options

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

  • Supply and Demand of housing, jobs, migration etc. 
  • Multi-modal transit options 
  • Multi-Family Units
  • Interest Rates 
  • Higher paying jobs