Does the typical American family today enjoy better living standards compared to 1985? We may have bigger TVs in our living rooms and smartphones in our pockets, but a recent report from Washington, DC, think tank the American Compass suggests the cost of a thriving, middle-class lifestyle has risen over the past generation. To discuss what that report gets right and where it falls short, I’m joined today by Jeremy Horpedahl.

Jeremy is an associate professor of economics at the University of Central Arkansas. He’s also the co-author, along with AEI’s Scott Winship, of the recent report, “The Cost of Thriving Has Fallen: Correcting and Rejecting the American Compass Cost-of-Thriving Index.” That report argues a better methodology shows modest gains for the typical American family.