Transport and housing rent cost burden on families: a comparative analysis of Addis Ababa & Sheger Cities, Ethiopia

This research compares the financial burden of transport and housing rent on families residing in Addis Ababa, and Sheger City, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 927 families using stratified random sampling. ANOVA and t-tests were employed to assess whether these cost burdens, individually and combined, differ significantly from established standards and vary across locations. The findings indicate that the overall sample experiences a low transport cost burden, whereas the housing rent burden is close to the standard. However, there is considerable variation in housing rent burdens, implying that some residents experience higher or lower rent burdens on average. Moreover, on average, residents spend less on housing rent and transport together but with significant variation. Furthermore, Addis Ababa inner-city residents experience lower transport but higher housing burden, Addis Ababa suburban residents experience moderate transport and housing rent cost burden whereas Sheger City inhabitants generally have lower transport, housing, and combined burdens. This study implies that location significantly influences the financial pressures related to essential expenses . Hence, urban, transport and housing policy makers and planners should consider the effects of spatial disparities on essential residents' expenses during urban interventions.