School Of Hard Knocks: Single Teachers Can’t Afford To Live Close To Work

By KIMBERLEY HAAS It is being estimated that the average teacher can afford 12% of homes for sale within commuting distance of their school and just 27% of available rentals in the same area. These numbers come from a Redfin analysis which looked at 2022 median teacher salaries in the 50 most populous U.S. metro areas. Commuting distance was defined as 20 minutes or less during rush hour and affordability was defined as no more than 30% of the metro’s median teacher income. For house sales, a 10% down payment was assumed. In 2019, before the pandemic boom drove up prices, the average teacher could afford 30% of homes for sale within commuting distance of their school. A lack of…