Between the third and fourth quarters of 2016, the general level of misery experienced by people in the United States decreased and remained below the 2015 level. This can be attributed to a decrease in the unemployment rate, that was partially offset by increases in inflation and a decrease in housing prices. The level of misery also decreased in Kansas in the fourth quarter but was above the 2015 level at the end of the year.
Within each of the metropolitan areas in Kansas, the level of misery is mixed.
The Misery Index, as calculated by the Center for Economic Development and Business Research (CEDBR), includes the following components:
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- The House Price Index (HPI) from the Federal Housing Finance Agency
- Unemployment Rates (UR) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read the complete fourth quarter report.