U.S. Job Growth Soars in March While Inflation and Housing Costs Also Rise

• Unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% in March as 303,000 jobs added • Inflation ticked up slightly in February, driven by shelters and gasoline • Home prices remain high compared to incomes, hurting affordability • Half of renters now cost burdened, spending over 30% of income on housing • Job gains strongest in healthcare, government, and construction industries