San Jose Leads the Way in Affordable Housing Options: The Impact of Remote Work and High Demand on Housing Costs Across North America

San Jose is the first city in the world to allow homeowners to sell accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as separate properties. This move is seen as a way to provide much-needed housing options in the area by supporters of the law. Despite being one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, San Jose has been ranked among the top five most unaffordable cities globally, according to a report from Chapman University.

San Jose is not alone in its struggle with housing affordability. Hong Kong was ranked as the least affordable market in the English-speaking world, with several U.S. cities making it onto the list of the top 10 most unaffordable cities. This includes four cities in California, with San Jose ranking fourth on this list. In comparison, Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania is nearly 75% more affordable than San Jose, highlighting the extreme disparity in housing costs across different regions of North America.

For those seeking more affordable housing options, looking to cities on the East Coast and Midwest may be a good idea. Cities like Pittsburgh, Rochester, and St. Louis rank among some of North America’s most affordable cities according to a Demographia International Housing Affordability report. The high cost of living and demand for housing have been cited as key factors contributing to these cities’ lack of affordability during the pandemic, particularly in suburban and remote areas.

As remote work becomes increasingly common and demand for housing continues to shift, it’s worth reevaluating which cities offer more affordable options across North America