Prices of Eggs and Meat Are Now Almost as Important as Housing Costs in Decisions on Where to Move

Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise.

When people consider finding a new area to move to, rent and mortgage costs are usually the first considerations. But the prices of eggs and meat are almost as important in that decision, according to a new survey showing that persistent inflation is now affecting where people choose to live.

Of the 1,248 adults surveyed by Apartments.com recently, 56% said they would consider the daily cost of living, including groceries, dining out and household items, when determining where to live. That isn't far below the 64% that cited housing costs as a factor. Both ranked ahead of utility costs, proximity to services, transportation, and job opportunities.

“The high percentage of people considering everyday household goods in their move shows how important those expenses are today,” the report said. “Groceries keep getting more expensive, and it's making a big difference in whether people can live comfortably in a city.”

The February Consumer Price Index put "food-at-home" inflation at 2.4%—on par with the overall rate. But consumers have faced sharply higher prices on specific items for years. Egg prices, which surged during the 2024 campaign, and more recently meat costs, have rattled shoppers.

Rising costs for groceries can shape where people choose to live because they directly affect how far a paycheck stretches, even if housing prices are manageable. Persistent inflation in essentials can also influence migration patterns, local demand and regional economic growth.

Half of the respondents to the survey said that, over the past year, they experienced the largest price increases in groceries and household items. That compares with just 16% who cited rising utility costs and 10% pointing to housing costs. Three in four respondents said rising costs have caused them to change how they manage their budget. More than a third cut back on nonessential spending; 23% cut back on essentials.

“People have been concerned about high prices for years. Inflation today isn't much higher than it was a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” the report said. “But years of rising prices have compounded and wages have barely kept up, which makes it more difficult for many people to afford their bills.”

Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise.