We recently shared a map that shows location affordability (based on housing and transportation costs) for a Type 1 Family (a family of four, including two working commuters, with a median annual household income of $57,740). This new map shows both the Type 1 Family data and affordability for a Type 7 Family: a moderate income family of three with one working commuter earning 80% of median household income.
Using data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Location Affordability Index, this map shows the affordability of housing and transportation costs, as a percentage of income. This map uses census tracts in metro Atlanta to show spatial trends in affordability.
The dark blue areas represent neighborhoods where a “Type 7 family” would have to spend at least 62.4 percent of their income on housing and transportation costs. The light blue areas would be the most affordable for a family with this type of financial situation, but they would still need to spend at least 39.8 percent of their income on housing and transportation.
This map can show four variables:
- Housing and Transportation Costs as Percent of Income
- Housing Costs as Percent of Income
- Transportation Costs as Percent of Income
- Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled
- Annual Transit Trip
Instructions: Hover your mouse in the top left corner of the legend window (not the map window) and click the gear symbol that appears. Click the Click the > button next to “Color data” and choose a folder on the left side to select the family type, and then a variable on the right side. Hover your mouse over census tracts on the map to find the value.
To download the data visit the ARC Open Data site.
*This map may not open in Internet Explorer- try another browser.