This ratio provides a rough estimate of the affordability of homes in a community. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable. High housing costs can force households to choose between paying for housing and meeting other basic needs such as food, clothing and health care.

In 2017-21, homes in the region were generally less affordable for all racial and ethnic groups. The ratios for Asian Americans, African Americans and Hispanics were 4.5, 4.7, and 5.7, respectively, while whites were 4.1. These rates are higher (less affordable) than national rates, but similar to statewide rates, with the exception of rates for African Americans and Hispanics, which are lower in MetroWest than they are statewide.

Housing costs for all racial/ethnic groups were generally more affordable in Norfolk and Worcester than in Middlesex.

Historic and current policies and systems, from racist housing policies to employment discrimination to education systems that fail to equitably serve all populations, have prevented people of color from fully participating in our economy, locking them out of economic opportunity. This has resulted in lower incomes for people of color, which means housing costs are a greater burden.

Multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census.

The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic).