![Hires Affordability Topic Page](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/2026-04/hero-affordability-hires.jpg?itok=9ub02SQ1) 

# Affordability 

At a Glance 

Today’s affordability squeeze mainly reflects the legacy of recent inflation. The best policy answer is sound money and sustainable fiscal policy to keep inflation low, paired with more economic freedom to supply life’s essentials.

Share This Topic 

![Cato Handbook on Affordability - cover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2026-04/Handbook-on-Affordability-cover.png?itok=WorrbOH_) 

### [The Cato Institute Handbook on Affordability](https://www.cato.org/handbook-affordability)

The Cato Institute Handbook on Affordability explains what caused today’s cost-of-living squeeze and how long-standing government policies in housing, energy, health care, transportation, childcare, food, and college costs make things worse.

[Read Handbook](https://www.cato.org/handbook-affordability) 

#### Featured Content 

[![Cato Handbook on Affordability 16x9](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-04/Handbook%20on%20Affordability_16x9.jpg?itok=-Hq0XPJD)](https://www.cato.org/blog/introducing-cato-handbook-affordability) 

blog 

## [Introducing the Cato *Handbook on Affordability*](/blog/introducing-cato-handbook-affordability) 

By [Ryan Bourne](https://www.cato.org/people/ryan-bourne) 

The through-line is simple: a better approach to affordability is delivering sound money to protect against inflation and more economic freedom to supply goods and services.

[![government_affordability_16x9](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-04/government_affordability_16x9.jpg?itok=C_cRGQfi)](https://www.cato.org/commentary/congressional-progressive-caucus-affordability-agenda-dud) 

Commentary 

### [The Congressional Progressive Caucus Affordability Agenda Is a Dud](/commentary/congressional-progressive-caucus-affordability-agenda-dud) 

By [Ryan Bourne](https://www.cato.org/people/ryan-bourne) 

This populism means many simpler ideas to lower prices through expanding supply get ignored.

[![trump](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2025-09/donald%20trump%20.jpg?itok=BJ-jogIr)](https://www.cato.org/blog/trumps-approval-inflation-now-worse-bidens-ever-was) 

blog 

### [President Trump’s Approval on Inflation Is Now Worse Than President Biden’s Ever Was](/blog/trumps-approval-inflation-now-worse-bidens-ever-was) 

By [Ryan Bourne](https://www.cato.org/people/ryan-bourne), [Jai Kedia](https://www.cato.org/people/jai-kedia), and [Nathan Miller](https://www.cato.org/people/nathan-miller) 

With no relief in sight from either tariffs or energy prices, Trump’s already-historic inflation disapproval may have further yet to fall.

[![warsh](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-05/warsh%20swear%20in.jpg?itok=FGHxll3d)](https://www.cato.org/blog/reform-agenda-new-fed-chair-kevin-warsh) 

blog 

### [A Reform Agenda for New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh](/blog/reform-agenda-new-fed-chair-kevin-warsh) 

By [Jai Kedia](https://www.cato.org/people/jai-kedia) and [Norbert J. Michel](https://www.cato.org/people/norbert-michel) 

Kevin Warsh is right that the Fed needs serious reform. Here are five concrete policy proposals that will help ensure sound monetary policy.

[![Pre-School Children](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2025-12/pre-school-children%20Cropped.jpg?itok=1CmvUNYV)](https://www.cato.org/commentary/virginia-cant-subsidize-its-way-affordable-childcare) 

Commentary 

### [Virginia Can’t Subsidize Its Way to Affordable Childcare](/commentary/virginia-cant-subsidize-its-way-affordable-childcare) 

By [Chelsea Follett](https://www.cato.org/people/chelsea-follett) 

The problem with childcare is not a lack of state intervention.