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Disentangling Rent Index Differences: Data, Methods, and Scope

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  • Brian Adams
  • Lara Loewenstein
  • Hugh Montag
  • Randal Verbrugge

Abstract

Rent measurement determines 32 percent of the CPI. Accurate rent measurement is therefore essential for accurate inflation measurement, but the CPI rent index often differs from alternative rent inflation measures. Using repeat-rent inflation measures created from CPI microdata, we show that this discrepancy is largely explained by differences in rent growth for new tenants relative to all tenants. New-tenant rent inflation provides information about future all-tenant rent inflation, but the use of new-tenant rents is contraindicated in a cost-of-living index such as the CPI. Nevertheless, policy-makers should integrate new-tenant inflation into inflation forecasts and monetary policy decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Adams & Lara Loewenstein & Hugh Montag & Randal Verbrugge, 2024. "Disentangling Rent Index Differences: Data, Methods, and Scope," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 6(2), pages 230-245, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aerins:v:6:y:2024:i:2:p:230-45
    DOI: 10.1257/aeri.20220685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher D. Cotton, 2024. "A Faster Convergence of Shelter Prices and Market Rent: Implications for Inflation," Current Policy Perspectives 2024-4, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
    2. Augustus Kmetz & Schuyler Louie & John Mondragon, 2023. "Where Is Shelter Inflation Headed?," FRBSF Economic Letter, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, vol. 2023(19), pages 1-6, August.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • R31 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Housing Supply and Markets

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