StatSnacks are Civic Insight’s bite-sized looks at emerging data and trends.
Each post highlights a single question, pattern, or insight we’re seeing in the data—often drawn from work with partners or our broader research. Designed to be read in a few minutes, StatSnacks are a simple way for leaders and community members across the country to stay informed and spark deeper conversations about the issues that shape their communities.
The High Cost of Rising Rents
Median rents across the St. Louis region have risen sharply over the past two decades—and the increase has been steepest in the City.
Lower Prices Don’t Mean Less Strain
Among first-time homebuyers in St. Louis, Black buyers purchase homes at significantly lower prices than non-Black buyers—but that doesn’t mean the purchase is easier.
Price is Just One Part of “Affordability”
The constraint isn't the mortgage - it's the margin.
The binding constraint for many first-time buyers isn’t whether they can qualify for a mortgage. It’s whether they have enough financial margin to compete once they’re in the market.
When One Income Outpaces Two
Between 2017 and 2022, a single, non-Black homebuyer in St. Louis had a higher median income than a Black couple.
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