DATA
OECD average price-to-income index
114.8
index, 2015 = 100
- Geography
- World
- Period
- 2024
- Source
- OECD
Average across OECD countries, not a population-weighted world figure.
The Crisis
Affordability
Housing affordability describes how manageable the cost of buying or renting a home is relative to household income. The OECD tracks purchase affordability through house prices relative to disposable income and rental pressure through the share of income households spend on rent.
A cheaper mortgage rate can improve a monthly payment and still leave the purchase price higher. Watch incomes, rents, and supply together.
The OECD price-to-income index is not a multiple of annual household income. 2015 equals 100. Canada's 136.3 reading for 2024 means house prices outpaced disposable income per head by about 36% relative to 2015. The OECD average in the same year was 114.8. The United Kingdom sat near 105.8 — prices and incomes moving closer together since 2015, which is not the same as housing being cheap.
Rent is a separate ratio. On average, one in three low-income OECD tenant households spend over 40% of disposable income on rent. OECD identifies the United States among countries where more than half of those households are overburdened.
Portal asking prices, listing medians, and invented worldwide multiples do not belong on this dossier. Use the essay for the method and the comparison desk for the country index values.
Sourced figures
Each figure carries a geography, period, and named source. None of these is a global median home price.
DATA
Price-to-income index
136.3
index, 2015 = 100
- Geography
- Canada
- Period
- 2024
- Source
- OECD
OECD price-to-income index, 2015 = 100. Canada was among the highest OECD readings in 2024.
DATA
Low-income OECD tenants overburdened
1 in 3
share of low-income tenant households
- Geography
- World
- Period
- latest OECD AHD compilation
- Source
- OECD
OECD: on average, one in three low-income tenant households spend over 40% of disposable income on rent. Overburden is higher than half in some countries, including the United States.
DATA
Low-income renter overburden
More than half
of low-income tenant households
- Geography
- United States
- Period
- OECD AHD
- Source
- OECD
OECD identifies the United States among countries where more than half of low-income tenant households spend over 40% of disposable income on rent.
Common questions
Can housing affordability improve while home prices rise?
Yes. Incomes can rise faster than prices, or lower mortgage rates can reduce monthly payments. The OECD price-to-income index tracks the first effect. To see the second, compare mortgage payments with income at the rates buyers actually face.