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 August 23, 2026.
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30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States
6.65%
−0.02%
Last 24 observations rising, from 6.11% to 6.65%. Range 6.11% to 6.69%.Percent · as of
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S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index
335.1
+2.1
Last 24 observations rising, from 325.3 to 335.1. Range 323.3 to 335.1.Index Jan 2000=100 · as of
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New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
1,239K
−176K
Last 24 observations falling, from 1,394K to 1,239K. Range 1,182K to 1,522K.Thousands of Units · as of
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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
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Unemployment Rate
4.1%
−0.1%
Last 23 observations falling, from 4.2% to 4.1%. Range 4.0% to 4.5%.Percent · as of
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Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
332.8
+0.2
Last 23 observations rising, from 314.1 to 332.8. Range 314.1 to 334.0.Index 1982-1984=100 · as of
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Federal Funds Effective Rate
3.63%
0.00%
Last 24 observations falling, from 5.33% to 3.63%. Range 3.63% to 5.33%.Percent · as of
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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
| Indicator | Latest | Change | Units | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States | 6.65% | −0.02% | Percent | |
| S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index | 335.1 | +2.1 | Index Jan 2000=100 | |
| New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units | 1,239K | −176K | Thousands of Units | |
| Median Sales Price of New Houses Sold for the United States | $410,700 | +$2,200 | Dollars | |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | −0.1% | Percent | |
| Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average | 332.8 | +0.2 | Index 1982-1984=100 | |
| Federal Funds Effective Rate | 3.63% | 0.00% | 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 August 23, 2026.
| Bill | Title | Latest action | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HR 2973 | Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act | Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. | |
| HR 9554 | Senior Accessible Housing Tax Credit Act of 2026 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4413) | |
| HR 9075 | Tax the Grift Act | Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. |
Source: Congress.gov (U.S. Government work, public domain). congress.gov
Live feed
Latest housing & economy news
Last updated August 23, 2026.
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'Many' Fed officials think higher rates will be needed if inflation stays high
Many Federal Reserve officials think the central bank will have to lift its key short-term interest rate in the coming months if inflation doesn't subside, minutes of the Fed's meeting last month showed.
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End the Biden inflation tax
A proposed reform to index capital gains for inflation and expand exemptions for home sales aims to increase housing supply and stimulate economic growth.
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Why Treasury yields are at 20-year highs – and why it matters
A sustained sell-off in the bond market sent long-term Treasury yields to their highest levels in nearly 20 years this week, rattling both Wall Street and Washington. Higher yields, essentially the interest rate the government pays to borrow money, also mean higher borrowing costs throughout the economy, from mortgages
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Collins asks White House to consider 'negative impact' of Canada trade war
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) pushed the Trump administration to “consider the negative impact" that engaging in a tariff war with Canada may have on American constituents, straying away from some of her GOP peers. Republican lawmakers were split Saturday after negotiations between Canada and the U.S. fell through, caus
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U.S. and Canada fall deeper into a trade war with new tariffs as talks collapse and blame is spread
President Donald Trump's import taxes will hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, including products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors.
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Brooks and Capehart on how economic concerns defined the primaries
David Brooks of The Atlantic and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including this week's midterm primary results, the economy taking center stage, President Trump lashing out at key allies and the controversy surrounding a Trump aide.
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FTC proposal would require retailers to be transparent about personalized pricing
Companies that secretly vary prices based on how much they think individual customers will pay could face federal charges under a proposed policy released Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission.
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The U.S. debt tops a record-shattering $40 trillion. Yes, with a T
The federal debt reached $40 trillion as the government adds red ink at a rapid rate. That's leading nervous investors to demand higher interest rates — pushing up borrowing costs for everyone else.
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U.S. retail sales unexpectedly post largest drop in more than a year
The drop in spending raised concern among some economists about the resiliency of consumers who have powered the economy forward despite nagging inflation and soaring gasoline prices.
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Sunday shows preview: Canada faces off with US in trade ‘war’; Republicans gear up for upcoming primaries
Negotiations between the United States and Canada fell through this weekend, causing the Trump administration to impose a 50 percent tariff on its northern neighbor. But Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney swiftly responded with his own retaliatory tariff on the U.S. The prime minister said during a Saturday press conf
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What to know about Trump's 50% tariffs on Canadian goods that just went into effect
The new levies are expected to affect about 5% of Canada's annual exports to the U.S., roughly $20 billion in goods ranging from hockey sticks to agricultural products.
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The U.S. & Canada are fighting over tariffs. How is that affecting small businesses?
NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks with Mike Roach and Kim Osgood, owners of Paloma Clothing in Portland, Ore., about how the tariff fight between the U.S. and Canada is affecting their business.
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President Trump: White House ballroom construction 'under budget,' 'ahead of schedule'
President Trump touted progress on the White House ballroom project on Saturday morning, a day after the Supreme Court temporarily permitted construction work to continue. “Tremendous work has been done on the magnificent BALLROOM/MILITARY COMPLEX being built on the grounds of the White House!” the president wrote on T
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The end of marriage as we know it
Research from the University of Pennsylvania indicates that couples where the woman earns more are significantly more likely to separate, highlighting how shifting economic dynamics and persistent domestic imbalances are contributing to rising divorce rates.
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Trump bashes Greene, Massie after meeting with Tucker Carlson
President Trump hit back again on Friday evening at GOP criticism of his administration’s decision to lift certain tariffs on imported ground beef. The president expressed anger over a meeting between conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson and two Republicans that have critiqued this new policy, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky
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Canada announces retaliatory tariffs to begin Sept. 8
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Saturday morning that the country will enact retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. beginning on Sept. 8 in response to the Trump administration’s new 50 percent tariffs. The prime minister said during a press conference that the country will “match Washington’s new tariffs dollar for