Neither of these point to any direct causation. I don't think anyone would disagree that finance has an impact, but these are only indirect evidence. It seems

Neither of these point to any direct causation. I don't think anyone would disagree that finance has an impact, but these are only indirect evidence. It seems to me that increasing urbanisation and desire to live in cities could easily have pushed city prices up much faster than anything else, while less populated areas stagnate.