Network linkages between housing prices and crime risk: evidence from 26 regions in Türkiye

The increasing housing prices in Türkiye have generated substantial public concern due to their potential to disrupt social and economic stability, exacerbate social inequality, and contribute to criminal issues. This study investigates the multifaceted impacts of housing prices on crime rates within the Turkish context. Utilizing annual data encompassing 26 regions in Türkiye from 2016 to 2019, we adopt a sophisticated mediating effect model to analyze the intricate relationships between pertinent variables. Our findings show that housing prices directly and indirectly influence crime rates. Notably, the mediating role of the Gini coefficient is unveiled, shedding light on its function in moderating the relationship between housing price escalation and crime rates in landTürkiye. This study underscores the pivotal role of economic distortion as a mediating factor in understanding the nexus between rising housing costs and the incidence of criminal activities in the Turkish context.