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Live data

Live Housing Data

A daily-refreshed view of the public economic and legislative data most relevant to housing affordability. Every figure links back to its original public source. The Affordable Housing Initiative is an independent publication and is not affiliated with any of these sources.

The numbers

Economic indicators

Last updated October 11, 2026.

  • 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States

    7.40%

    +0.12%

    Last 24 observations rising, from 6.30% to 7.40%. Range 6.30% to 7.40%.

    Percent · as of

    FRED MORTGAGE30US →

  • S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index

    337.3

    +0.4

    Last 24 observations rising, from 325.0 to 337.3. Range 323.3 to 337.3.

    Index Jan 2000=100 · as of

    FRED CSUSHPINSA →

  • New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units

    1,275K

    −34K

    Last 24 observations falling, from 1,357K to 1,275K. Range 1,182K to 1,522K.

    Thousands of Units · as of

    FRED HOUST →

  • Median Sales Price of New Houses Sold for the United States

    $410,700

    +$2,200

    Last 24 observations rising, from $327,900 to $410,700. Range $327,900 to $442,600.

    Dollars · as of

    FRED MSPUS →

  • Unemployment Rate

    4.2%

    +0.1%

    Last 23 observations rising, from 4.1% to 4.2%. Range 4.0% to 4.5%.

    Percent · as of

    FRED UNRATE →

  • Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average

    334.1

    +1.3

    Last 23 observations rising, from 314.7 to 334.1. Range 314.7 to 334.1.

    Index 1982-1984=100 · as of

    FRED CPIAUCSL →

  • Federal Funds Effective Rate

    3.75%

    +0.12%

    Last 24 observations falling, from 4.83% to 3.75%. Range 3.63% to 4.83%.

    Percent · as of

    FRED FEDFUNDS →

  • Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States

    7.3%

    0.0%

    Last 24 observations rising, from 6.4% to 7.3%. Range 5.6% to 7.3%.

    Percent · as of

    FRED RRVRUSQ156N →

Federal Reserve economic indicators relevant to housing affordability. Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
IndicatorLatestChangeUnitsAs of
30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States 7.40% +0.12% Percent
S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index 337.3 +0.4 Index Jan 2000=100
New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units 1,275K −34K Thousands of Units
Median Sales Price of New Houses Sold for the United States $410,700 +$2,200 Dollars
Unemployment Rate 4.2% +0.1% Percent
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average 334.1 +1.3 Index 1982-1984=100
Federal Funds Effective Rate 3.75% +0.12% Percent
Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States 7.3% 0.0% Percent

Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Data retrieved via the FRED® API but not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. fred.stlouisfed.org

On the Hill

Housing-related legislation

Last updated October 11, 2026.

Recent housing-related bills in the 119th U.S. Congress. Source: Congress.gov.
BillTitleLatest actionDate
HR 10784 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide home ownership assistance, and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
HR 10709 Multigenerational HOMES Act Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
S 5646 Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
S 5625 Affordable Housing Construction Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
S 5681 A bill to provide for the protection of the duties of the Inspector General of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S 5580 Public Housing Fire Safety Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S 5579 Mapping Housing Discrimination Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S 5592 A bill to establish a loan program for first-time homebuyers, and for other purposes. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S 5535Housing and Community Development Eviction Crisis Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S 5534Housing and Community Development Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S 5553 Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
HR 10587Housing and Community Development American Homes First Act Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
HR 10613Taxation Housing COST Act Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
S 5500Housing and Community Development Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S 5354Native Americans Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
S 5472Taxation Supporting Small Affordable Housing Developers Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
S 5455Housing and Community Development Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text: CR S4861)
HR 10513 To require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a pilot program to provide grants to eligible entities to fund pre-development activities associated with new construction or rehabilitation of housing that qualifies as affordable housing on land owned by such faith-based organizations, and for other purposes. Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
HR 10325Finance and Financial Sector To increase the mandatory contribution amount of Federal Home Loan Banks to the Affordable Housing Program, and for other purposes. Ordered to be Reported Unfavorably (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 28.
HR 10231Housing and Community Development No Homeless Detention Centers Act Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Source: Congress.gov (U.S. Government work, public domain). congress.gov

Live feed

Latest housing & economy news

Last updated October 11, 2026.

  • What a hiring slowdown signals about the state of the U.S. economy

    U.S. hiring slowed in September as employers added just 29,000 jobs. The disappointing jobs report has wide-reaching implications for consumer prices and interest rates, and it comes a month before Americans head to the polls for midterm elections. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Beth Hammack, president of the Federal R

    • PBS NewsHour Economy

  • Don't move a muscle!

    First-time unemployment claims (layoffs, basically) have come in below 200,000 for four weeks running — the longest stretch since 1969. At the same time, the economy only barely added jobs in September. Few layoffs, barely any new jobs, and it makes ya start to wonder, just how petrified can this labor market get? Also

    • Marketplace

  • It's taking longer to find a new job after losing one

    People who lose their jobs in this economy are taking longer to find new work. Nearly four in ten people exhaust their unemployment benefits before they land a new job.

    • NPR Business

  • Mortgage rates hit 7.4 percent for first time since November 2023

    Mortgage rates increased again this week, with the average 30-year rate hitting 7.4 percent for the first time since November 2023, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. The average 30-year mortgage rate rose 12 basis points from last week, when it was 7.28 percent, according to the government-sponsored company. This rate has

    • The Hill Business

  • Oil prices rise after reports White House weighing Iran strikes

    Oil prices rose amid reports Thursday that the White House is weighing new strike options on Iran, less than a month before the November elections. Brent crude, the global benchmark, increased to $104.60 per barrel with a 4.4 percent jump Thursday morning. The U.S. benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), jumped 3.91

    • The Hill Business

  • Economist Betsey Stevenson breaks down the gender gap in recent hiring reports

    The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected last month and unemployment ticked up to 4.2%. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Betsey Stevenson, an economist at the University of Michigan.

    • NPR Economy

  • Disappointing 29,000 jobs added in September as unemployment ticks up

    Friday's jobs report is the last one that will come out before the Nov. 3 elections that will determine whether President Donald Trump's Republicans maintain full control of Congress.

    • PBS NewsHour Economy

  • Inflation held steady in August. Yay?

    The PCE price index (that's the Fed's preferred measure of inflation) held steady year-over-year in the latest report. Economists expected it to move up. So, why didn't it budge -- and why aren't we all celebrating? Also in this episode: Seasonal work is hard to find so far this fall, Trump's immigration crackdown weak

    • Marketplace

  • Average long-term U.S. mortgage hits highest level in nearly 3 years

    The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 7.28%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the average rate was 6.34%.

    • PBS NewsHour Economy

  • Most Americans blame Trump for high prices as his economic approval hits new low, AP-NORC poll shows

    A majority, 65%, of U.S. adults now blame Trump's policies for persistently high costs more than factors outside of his control, signaling growing weariness over his aggressive use of tariffs and continued unhappiness with the war with Iran.

    • PBS NewsHour Economy

  • Consumer confidence slides to 12-year low

    Consumer confidence fell to a 12-year low in September, according to The Conference Board. The index has been trending down for a couple years, but this latest decline was steep. One reason? Upper-middle class respondents are starting to feel the pressure, too. Also in this episode: The economic forces behind GDP growt

    • Marketplace

  • Trump establishes committee to investigate Federal Reserve's Lisa Cook in latest effort to fire her

    The inquiry will include a hearing at the White House Nov. 5, President Donald Trump said in a written memo, that Cook "shall" attend to answer questions from the committee.

    • PBS NewsHour Economy

  • Trump's memorial arch faces a new lawsuit from Arlington County, Virginia

    The Arlington County Board in Virginia filed a lawsuit Thursday opposing the construction of the Triumphal Arch, becoming the first governmental body to take legal action against President Donald Trump's planned monument.

    • PBS NewsHour Nation

  • Flock offers voluntary separation packages to staff amid camera backlash

    The automated license plate reader (ALPR) firm Flock Safety has offered employees voluntary separation packages ahead of its "next phase of growth," as the firm faces mounting scrutiny from communities and policymakers across the country. "Flock recently offered current employees a generous Voluntary Separation Program

    • The Hill Business

  • Your child may be automatically enrolled in a Trump Account. Here's what to know

    Your child may be enrolled in a "Trump Account" whether you realize it or not. Rolled out earlier this year, the Trump Accounts program allows parents to claim special investment accounts for children who are 18 years old or younger.

    • PBS NewsHour Economy

  • Support for businesses taking public stances on issues drops: Gallup

    Americans’ support for businesses taking public stances has dipped, according to a new poll, as many companies have curried favor with President Trump during his second term. Forty-seven percent of 3,270 respondents to a Gallup survey said businesses should take a stance on current events, down from 51 percent in 2025

    • The Hill Business