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QUESTION:  Does the Geographic Assessor's Two City Comparison profile 'renter only' analyses?

 

The original Two City Comparison table in the Geographic Assessor only reports summary cost-of-living differentials based on the rental housing market and benchmark assumptions for each earnings level. In the  original Two City Comparison table, too many variables affect a home ownership analysis for ERI to make an appropriate set of assumptions for a cost-of-living comparison based solely on inputted earnings levels.  However, the enhanced Geographic Assessor is designed to allow you to input the many additional variables (down payment and interest rate information, for example) that affect a home ownership comparison. The updated Two City Comparison table in the enhanced Geographic Assessor includes cost-of-living data for both rental and home ownership scenarios (contact info.eri@erieri.com to subscribe to the enhanced Geographic Assessor).  

 

The Relocation Assessor was specifically designed to build relocation packages and reports rental and ownership differentials. While you should use the Geographic Assessor to set wage and salary levels based on geographic differentials, the Relocation Assessor may be preferable for the purpose of administering management and executive level cost-of-living adjustments.

 

For a detailed explanation of ERI cost-of-living methodology, please refer to the documentation for the Relocation Assessor.