Housing costs represent the biggest portion of most of our budgets. They also represent almost a quarter of the increased cost of the American Dream in the past decade, or $25,104…..up almost DOUBLE in 10 years. Over the past decade, the American Dream now costs 36% more, or an additional $47,000. The good news: The median household income has grown 46%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The bad news: Only about 1 in 8 households earned enough 10 years ago to pay for the dream, according to Census Bureau estimates and that ratio hasn’t significantly changed. (USA TODAY)