The inflation components I plotted above are National Numbers not San Diego. Prices are up nationwide.
“01 to now wages are not up. In fact they are down.” This is not correct.
U.S. Median Family Income in 2000: 50,046
….. in 2005: 55832
That’s a 11.5% increase (nominal dollars)
U.S. Median Rent in 2000: 602
…. in 2005 : 728
Thats a 21% increase (nominal dollars)
“Inflation may have been a factor 01-02-03 but after that its not only down, its pretty much wiped out the gains from 01-02. ”
On the contrary, core inflation was declining from 01-03 and increasing thereafter. On average it’s about the same for the period from 01-03 as 04-06.
I think surveyor is on to something… Maybe the problem is that something special is happening in North Carolina that affects your perspective ?
NC had below average wage growth in 2000-2005
NC Median family income in 2000: 46,335
…. in 2005: 49,339
Only 6.5% wage growth in North Carolina in that period. This lagged the US by nearly a factor of two. If you believe the inflation numbers of about 1.5-2% during that period, that’s negative wage growth in real dollars in North Carolina. Ouch….
Now, I understand your perspective. But, nationwide, inflation is real and is not zero.
