PD, the problem with adjusting for inflation is that incomes are generally not keeping up with local inflation rates. OC has an inflation rate of 4.3%, most wage increases I have heard of are in the 1-3.5% range, that is not even sufficient to keep pace with local inflation.
The problem is that the prices of certain items like gas, rents, energy, health insurance etc. is skyrocketing. Rents in my area went up 6%-9% last year. So prices may be lower inflation adjusted but incomes are even lower than that!
