Median multiple
The median multiple is used to indicate the affordability of housing in any given community. The median multiple is widely used for evaluating urban markets, and has been recommended by the World Bank.
The median multiple is the ratio of the median house price by the median gross annual household income. This measure has historically hovered around a value of 3 or less, but in recent years has risen dramatically, especially in markets with severe public policy constraints on land and development.Table
The International Housing Affordability Survey uses the following table to determine affordability ratings:
| Rating | Median multiple |
| Severely unaffordable | 5.1 and over |
| Seriously unaffordable | 4.1 to 5.0 |
| Moderately unaffordable | 3.1 to 4.0 |
| Affordable | 3.0 and under |
