Times Are Tough But Rents Aren't Rising...As Much

According to the OC Register, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics latest consumer price index reveals that rents in Southern California have gone up at a rate less than 5% from March until November of this year, and that "if the numbers hold up in December, it will be the first time since 2000 that area rents have gone up less than 5% year-over-year," which was when they rose only 4.3%. In addition, "November SoCal housing costs overall, which include utilities and furnishings, were up 2.6% compared to a 4% jump this time last year." Consumer prices overall rose 1% last month in Southern California, which happens to be "a 10-year low."