A comparative study of the French and U.S. housing markets

Abstract

This study examined how different urbanization patterns in France and the United States influenced the development of their respective housing markets. More specifically, the study analyzed the evolution of housing size in France and the United States during the 20th century. Descriptive statistical analysis and regression models were used to analyze data from 36 metropolitan areas in France and 144 in the United States. The results indicate the housing in the United States is consistently larger due to a propensity to build and sell single housing units at a greater rate in the U.S. This study is part of a growing body of work furthering the understanding of comparative urban economic and housing issues.