San Jose Metro incomes keeping pace with rise in housing costs

Nobody doubts that housing costs are rising in California overall, and also in the San Jose metropolitan area. When discussing how that rise impacts affordability, of course, one needs to compare that rise with potential increases in incomes.

Data from the San Jose Mercury News on 5.19.2019 suggests that in San Jose, at least, rising incomes, at least for low income residents, may be keeping pace.

"In the San Jose area, which includes Palo Alto and Milpitas...the poorest 25% had on average 12% higher incomes and 13% higher housing costs."

This parity is not true for the San Francisco metro area, which saw the poorest 25% experience only 8% income rise, and 24% housing rise.

This data covers 2008-2017, from a study by Apartment List.