A new report shows that median three-bedroom rents in the U.S. are more affordable than owning a similarly-sized home in nearly 90% of local markets around the nation.

The 2024 Rental Affordability Report was released by ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property and real estate data.

The report shows that both renting and owning a three-bedroom home continue to pose significant financial burdens for average workers, consuming more than one-third of their wages in the vast majority of county-level housing markets.

But median rental rates still require a smaller portion of average wages than major home-ownership expenses on three-bedroom properties in 296, or 88%, of the 338 U.S. counties with enough data to analyze.

That gap extends trends from 2023 even as rents have commonly risen faster than home prices over the past year around the U.S.

The analysis for this report incorporated 2024 rental prices and 2023 home prices, collected from ATTOM’s nationwide property database, as well as publicly recorded sales deed data licensed by ATTOM. Those two data sources were combined with average wage figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Finding an affordable home remains a daunting prospect around the country for average workers, regardless of whether they want to buy or rent. Continuously increasing home prices contribute to the escalation of rental costs, making both buying and renting properties a challenging endeavor across most of the United States.,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “But the latest data shows that even as rents are growing faster, they remain more affordable than owning.”

The current situation favoring renting over buying reflects a combination of housing market trends that offer limited straightforward options for home seekers but ultimately lean towards the advantage of rentals.

Over the past year, both rental rates and home prices have continued to rise in most of the country. Rental rates have climbed even faster in a majority of counties with enough data to analyze.

That has happened as elevated home prices have become further and further out of reach for average workers, preventing those with marginal finances from obtaining mortgages and leaving them with few options other than renting. Home prices kept going up in 2023 despite rising mortgage rates, in part because of a tight supply of homes for sale.

Still, despite renting and ownership consuming more than a third of average wages in most local markets, rents haven’t escalated enough to keep them from being the more affordable option for average workers. That trend has held throughout the country but remains most pronounced in the most populous urban and suburban markets.

Changes in rents outpacing home price trends in nearly two-thirds of U.S

Median rents for three-bedroom homes have increased more over the past year, or declined less, than median prices for single-family homes in 210, or 62%, of the 338 counties analyzed in this report.

Counties were included in the report if they had a population of 100,000 or more, at least 100 sales from January through November of 2023 and sufficient data showing changes in three-bedroom rents from 2023 to 2024.

Changes in three-bedroom rents commonly have ranged from 3% decreases to 15% increases while changes in median sale prices for single-family homes last year typically ranged from 3% losses to 7% gains.

Most populous counties have widest affordability gaps between renting and owning

Renting a three-bedroom home, while still difficult for average workers, is most affordable in 2024 compared to owning a median-priced single-family home in the nation’s largest counties. In almost three-quarters of markets with populations of at least 1 million, the portion of average local wages consumed by renting is at least 10%age points lower than the portion required for typical major home ownership expenses.

Comparisons assume a home-purchase mortgage based on a 20% down payment. Major ownership expenses include mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance.

Among 45 counties with a population of at least 1 million included in the report, the biggest gaps are in Honolulu, Hawaii (median three-bedroom rents consume 67% of average local wages while typical single-home affordability consume 134%); Kings County (Brooklyn), NY (72% for renting versus 136% for owning); Alameda County (Oakland), CA (51% for renting versus 108% for owning); Santa Clara County (San Jose), CA (29% for renting versus 83% for owning) and Orange County, CA (outside Los Angeles) (88% for renting versus 136% for owning).

The only two counties with a population of more than 1 million where it is more affordable to buy than rent in 2024 are Riverside County, California (median rents consume 101% of average local wages while typical home ownership costs consume 91%) and Wayne County (Detroit), MI (22% for renting versus 19% for owning).

Renting three-bedroom homes stretches budgets but remains most affordable in South and Midwest

The report shows that the median three-bedroom rent requires more than one-third of the average local wage in 274 of the 338 counties analyzed for the report (81%).

Among the 64 markets where median three-bedroom rents require less than one-third of average local wages, 59 are in the Midwest and South.

The most affordable for renting are Jefferson County (Birmingham), AL (22% of average local wages needed to rent); Wayne County (Detroit), MI (22%); Ingham County (Lansing), MI (22%); Genesee County (Flint), MI (23%) and Caddo Parish (Shreveport), LA (23%).

Aside from Wayne County, the most affordable counties for renting among those with a population of at least 1 million are Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), OH (24% of average local wages needed to rent); St. Louis County, MO (24%); Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), PA (26%) and Philadelphia County, PA (28%).

The least affordable counties for renting are spread mostly through the South and West, including Collier County (Fort Myers), FL (153% of average local wages needed to rent); Santa Barbara County, CA (131%); Monterey County, CA (outside San Francisco) (107%); Indian River County (Vero Beach), FL (102%) and Riverside County CA (101%).

Aside from Riverside County, the least affordable for renting among counties with a population of at least 1 million are Orange County, CA (outside Los Angeles) (88% of average local wages needed to rent); Los Angeles County, CA (83%); Kings County (Brooklyn), NY (72%) and Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach), FL (70%).

Most-affordable home ownership markets still in South and Midwest; least affordable in West and Northeast

The report shows that major expenses on a median-priced single-family homes require more than one-third of average local wages (assuming a 20% down payment) in 296 of the 338 counties analyzed for the report (88%).

The most affordable markets for owning are Wayne County (Detroit), MI (19% of average local wages needed to own); Montgomery County, AL (21%); St. Louis City/County, MO (23%); Bibb County (Macon), GA (23%) and Caddo Parish (Shreveport), LA (23%).

Aside from Wayne County, the most affordable for owning among counties with a population of at least 1 million are Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), PA; (27% of average local wages needed to own) Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), OH (27%); St. Louis County, MO (30%) and Harris County (Houston), TX (35%).

The least affordable markets for owning among those analyzed are Marin County, CA (outside San Francisco) (164% of average local wages needed to own); Santa Cruz County, CA (160%); Orange County, CA (outside Los Angeles) (136%); Kings County (Brooklyn), NY (136%) and Honolulu County, HI (134%).

Aside from Orange, Kings and Honolulu counties, the least affordable counties among those with a population of at least 1 million are Alameda County (Oakland), CA (108% of average local wages needed to own) and Queens County, NY (105%).

Rents growing faster than wages in majority of markets

Median three-bedroom rents are increasing more than average local wages in 197 of the 338 counties analyzed in the report (58%). They include Los Angeles County, CA; Harris County (Houston), TX; Maricopa County (Phoenix), AZ; San Diego County, CA, and Orange County, CA (outside Los Angeles).

Average local wages are growing faster than average rents in 141 of the counties in the report (42%), including Cook County (Chicago), IL; Kings County (Brooklyn), NY; Miami-Dade County, FL; Queens County, NY, and San Bernardino County, CA.

Wages growing faster than home prices in nearly 60% of nation

Average weekly wages are rising faster than median home prices in 197 of the 338 counties in the report (58%), reversing a pattern seen in 2023. They include Los Angeles County, CA; Cook County (Chicago), IL; Harris County (Houston), TX; Maricopa County (Phoenix), AZ, and San Diego County, CA.

Median home prices are rising faster than average weekly wages in 141 of the counties analyzed in the report (42%), including Orange County, CA (outside Los Angeles); Kings County (Brooklyn), NY; Miami-Dade County, FL; Broward County (Fort Lauderdale), FL, and Middlesex County, MA (outside Boston).

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Rotary Club of Lakeport will hold its drive-thru crab feed and online auction on Feb. 17 at the Silveira Center in Lakeport.

This event has been carefully crafted to allow guests to pick up crab from the comfort of their vehicles and dine in the comfort of their own home.

The drive-thru crab feed will feature two pounds of the finest cracked crab, one pound of shrimp, salad and bread. Each meal will be thoughtfully packaged for convenient pickup. Quarts of delicious clam chowder can be purchased as an “add-on” item.

In addition to these scrumptious delights, the Rotary Club of Lakeport is excited to host an online auction, offering a diverse array of items and experiences for bidding. Participants can browse, bid, and win from the comfort of their homes, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

“This drive-thru crab feed and online auction is a testament to our commitment to community engagement and service,” said Pam Harpster, president-elect.

Proceeds from the event will support Rotary Club of Lakeport's community projects, scholarships and charitable initiatives, furthering their impact on the local community.

Tickets for dinners must be purchased no later than Feb. 9.

The online auction will run from Feb. 9 to 19.

For more information, ticket purchases and online auction, please visit www.lakeportrotary.org, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-533-1199.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Board of Supervisors is recruiting members to serve on the General Plan Advisory Committee.

The committee, or GPAC, will guide the Lake County General Plan and local area plans update.

Ideal applicants will have expertise in one or more of the following fields:

• Public at-large (one seat for each supervisorial district).
• Fire district.
• Tribal representative.
• Homeowners association.
• Education.
• Water district.
• Environmental group.
• Senior support services.
• Business association.
• Conventional agriculture.
• Cannabis industry.

The project will update the 2008 Lake County General Plan and all eight local area plans.

This comprehensive update will plan through the year 2050, incorporating updated policy approaches to sustainability, safety and resilience, housing, environmental justice, and other important topics while carrying forward enduring county values like preserving and celebrating agriculture and the unique character of individual communities.

The process will be community-driven and is expected to take three years to complete.

The GPAC, composed of a diverse set of stakeholders, will serve as general plan ambassadors to the community, letting their networks know about the project and opportunities to participate.

GPAC members will review key interim, draft and final products; advance review of public meeting materials; assist with community outreach to stakeholder groups; and provide general project guidance.

A specific meeting schedule will be determined once the committee is formed. The project anticipates a total of five meetings over the course of the project through spring 2026.

Applications are online at https://www.lakecountyca.gov/1116/Board-of-Supervisors or at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 North Forbes St., Lakeport.

Applications are due to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office no later than Friday, Feb. 16.

Membership on the committee is voluntary.

If you are interested in serving on the GPAC or if you would like more information, please contact Community Development Director Mireya Turner at 707-263-2221 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Extremely cold Arctic air and severe winter weather swept southward into much of the U.S. in mid-January 2024, breaking daily low temperature records from Montana to Texas. Tens of millions of people were affected by dangerously cold temperatures, and heavy lake-effect snow and snow squalls have had severe effects across the Great Lakes and Northeast regions.

These severe cold events occur when the polar jet stream – the familiar jet stream of winter that runs along the boundary between Arctic and more temperate air – dips deeply southward, bringing the cold Arctic air to regions that don’t often experience it.

An interesting aspect of these events is that they often occur in association with changes to another river of air even higher above the jet stream: the stratospheric polar vortex, a great stream of air moving around the North Pole in the middle of the stratosphere.

When this stratospheric vortex becomes disrupted or stretched, it can distort the jet stream as well, pushing it southward in some areas and causing cold air outbreaks.

The January 2024 Arctic cold blast fit into this pattern, with the polar vortex stretched so far over the U.S. in the lower stratosphere that it had nearly split in two. There are multiple causes that may have led to this stretching, but it is likely related to high-latitude weather in the prior two weeks.

No, cold doesn’t contradict global warming

After Earth just experienced its hottest year on record, it may seem surprising to set so many cold records. But does this cold snap contradict human-caused global warming? As an atmospheric and climate scientist, I can tell you, absolutely and unequivocally, it does not.

No single weather event can prove or disprove global warming. Many studies have shown that the number of extreme cold events is clearly decreasing with global warming, as predicted and understood from physical reasoning.

Whether global warming may, contrary to expectations, be playing some supporting role in the intensity of these events is an open question. Some research suggests it does.

The February 2021 cold wave that severely disrupted the Texas electric grid was also associated with a stretched stratospheric polar vortex. My colleagues and I have provided evidence suggesting that Arctic changes associated with global warming have increased the likelihood of such vortex disruptions. The effects of the enhanced high latitude warming known as Arctic amplification on regional snow cover and sea ice may enhance the weather patterns that, in turn, result in a stretched polar vortex.

More recently, we have shown that for large areas of the U.S., Europe and Northeast Asia, while the number of these severe cold events is clearly decreasing – as expected with global warming – it does not appear that their intensity is correspondingly decreasing, despite the rapid warming in their Arctic source regions.

So, while the world can expect fewer of these severe cold events in the future, many regions need to remain prepared for exceptional cold when it does occur. A better understanding of the pathways of influence between Arctic surface conditions, the stratospheric polar vortex and mid-latitude winter weather would improve our ability to anticipate these events and their severity.

Mathew Barlow, Professor of Climate Science, UMass Lowell

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has a new group of dogs awaiting adoption.

Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Alaskan husky, Australian cattle dog, Australian shepherd, border collie, boxer, bulldog, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, Great Pyrenees, hound, Labrador retriever, pit bull, Queensland heeler, shepherd and terrier.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

Those dogs and the others shown on this page at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.

Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.

The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Spirit and Opportunity’s landing on Mars, part of a mission whose legacy will extend far into the future.

In January 2004, twin NASA rovers named Spirit and Opportunity touched down on opposite sides of Mars, kicking off a new era of interplanetary robotic exploration.

They arrived in dramatic fashion three weeks apart, each nestled in a cluster of airbags that bounced along the surface around 30 times before coming to a stop and deflating.

The golf cart-size rovers’ mission: to look for evidence that water once flowed on the Red Planet’s surface.

Their findings would rewrite science textbooks, including Opportunity’s discovery soon after landing of the famous “blueberries” — spherical pebbles of the mineral hematite that had formed in acidic water. Several years into the mission, Spirit, undaunted but now dragging a damaged wheel, uncovered signs of ancient hot springs that could have been ideal habitats for microbial life billions of years ago (if any ever existed on the Red Planet).

Scientists suspected Mars had long ago been radically different than the freezing desert it is today: Orbital images had shown what looked like networks of water-carved channels. But before Spirit and Opportunity, there was no proof that liquid water had formed those features.

“Our twin rovers were the first to prove a wet, early Mars once existed,” said former project scientist Matt Golombek of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, which managed the Mars Exploration Rover mission. “They paved the way for learning even more about the Red Planet’s past with larger rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance.”

An enduring legacy

Thanks in part to the science collected by Spirit and Opportunity, NASA approved development of the SUV-size Curiosity rover to investigate whether the chemical ingredients that support life were present billions of years ago on what was once a watery world. (The rover found soon after its 2012 landing that they were.)

Perseverance, which arrived at the Red Planet in 2021, is building on Curiosity’s success by collecting rock cores that could be brought to Earth to check for signs of ancient microbial life through the Mars Sample Return campaign, a joint effort by NASA and ESA (European Space Agency).

While working on Spirit and Opportunity, engineers developed practices for exploring the surface that continue today, including the use of specialized software and 3D goggles to better navigate the Martian environment. And after honing years of expertise during the twin rovers’ travels over Mars’ rocky, sandy surface, engineers are able to plan safer, longer drives, and to quickly put together the far more complex daily plans required to operate Curiosity and Perseverance.

Science team members have also become more adept in their role as virtual field geologists, drawing on years of knowledge to select the best ways to investigate Martian terrain using the robotic “eyes” and tools carried by their roving partners.

Martian marathon

Designed to last just 90 days, Spirit landed on Jan. 3; Opportunity, on Jan. 24. The solar-powered Mars Exploration Rovers soldiered on for years – in the case of Opportunity, nearly 15 years, before succumbing to a planet-enveloping dust storm in 2018. That durability surpassed the wildest dreams of scientists and engineers, who had only expected localized exploration over a distance of no more than one-third of a mile (600 meters).

Instead, through their long-lived robotic surrogates, the team got the chance to roam a wide variety of Martian terrains. Opportunity, the first rover to go a marathon-length distance on another planet, would ultimately cover nearly 30 miles (45 kilometers) in total – the farthest distance driven on another planet.

“This was a paradigm shift no one was expecting,” said former project manager John Callas of JPL. “The distance and time scale we covered were a leap in scope that is truly historic.”

The chance to see so much was critical for revealing that not only was Mars once a wetter world, but also that it supported many different kinds of watery environments – fresh water, hot springs, acidic and salty pools – at distinct points in its history.

Continuing inspiration

The roving twins would also inspire a new generation of scientists. One of those was Abigail Fraeman, who was a high school student invited to JPL on the night of Opportunity’s landing. She got to watch the excitement as the first signal returned, confirming Opportunity had safely landed.

She would go on to pursue a career as a Mars geologist, returning to JPL years later to help lead Opportunity’s science team. Now deputy project scientist for Curiosity, Fraeman calls many of the people she met on Opportunity’s landing night her close colleagues.

“The people who kept our twin rovers running for all those years are an extraordinary group, and it’s remarkable how many have made exploring Mars their career,” Fraeman said. “I feel so lucky I get to work with them every day while we continue to venture into places no human has ever seen in our attempt to answer some of the biggest questions.”

For more information about Spirit and Opportunity, visit https://mars.nasa.gov/mer.