I'm in the coast, so I won't pretend to fully understand the markets elsewhere, however, it should be noted that ~50% of the U.S. population lives near the coas

I'm in the coast, so I won't pretend to fully understand the markets elsewhere, however, it should be noted that ~50% of the U.S. population lives near the coast, or a constraining border limiting expansion. For a very very large portion of the population it's land use and zoning rules that are constraining supply and causing everyone else to pay more than they otherwise would.