- America’s Safest Big Cities – 2026 Study
Choosing where to live can involve balancing opportunity and security. Big cities offer diverse job markets, extensive amenities and greater access to public services. But they also sometimes come with more acute safety concerns. While no major population center is entirely free from danger, some are more successful than others at creating environments where people… read more…
- Where Dedication Pays: Jobs With the Biggest Earning Upside
Some occupations offer substantial earning potential for workers who perform at an exceptional level and prioritize career advancement. In these fields, top earners may make several times more than the median worker, creating wide differences in compensation within the same occupation. For ambitious workers willing to build experience, sustain high performance and remain geographically mobile,… read more…
- Where Job Scams Happen Most – 2026 Study
For job seekers, the search for a new role now comes with an added source of stress: determining whether an opportunity is real or an attempt to exploit their need for work. Employment scams rank among the most common types of consumer fraud, and they’re on the rise, according to the Better Business Bureau. Scammers… read more…
- America’s Most Innovative States
Innovation can attract investment and reshape economies. The U.S. Economic Development Administration identifies innovation as a driver of global competitiveness, job creation and economic growth. However, innovation activity varies substantially by region. Some states generate more patents, support greater research and development activity, and attract more venture capital than others, giving them a stronger foundation… read more…
- Cost of Raising a Child in Major U.S. Metros – 2026 Study
Common expenses tied to raising a child — including child care, food, medical care, housing and other necessities — can total tens of thousands of dollars annually. While costs are high across major metro areas, the burden varies sharply by location, with families in some places facing annual expenses more than twice as high as… read more…
- America’s Best Value Public Universities — 2026 Study
A university degree is one of the biggest investments many Americans will make, and public institutions are often perceived as the most affordable path toward a higher education. But sticker price alone does not determine value. Outcomes can vary widely by school, meaning some public universities may offer stronger returns for students seeking manageable costs… read more…
- Where the Down Payment Burden Has Grown Most
Saving for a home down payment has become a moving target. As rising home prices outstrip wage growth, the amount of time buyers may need to set aside enough money has changed sharply in many parts of the country. In some states, rising incomes have helped offset higher home values. In others, buyers may face… read more…
- The Fourth of July Gas Price Burden
With the Fourth of July weekend approaching, millions of Americans are preparing to hit the road. Gas prices have fallen across the U.S. since reaching an annual peak on May 21, offering some relief before one of the year’s busiest driving periods. But both the extent of the price decline and the financial burden of… read more…
- When it Pays to Work in Florida — and When It Doesn’t
Florida’s economy has a pull of its own, from tourism and health care to construction and finance. But does working in the Sunshine State pay more? After adjusting for regional price differences, occupational pay gaps can look different than headline salaries suggest. For some workers, Florida offers a meaningful pay advantage; for others, the same… read more…
- Where Social Security Cuts Could Have the Greatest Economic Impact
Social Security is a major source of retirement income for millions of Americans, but its economic importance varies sharply by locality. In some communities, benefits represent a relatively small share of total income. In others, they account for a substantial portion of money flowing into the local economy. That reliance may become more consequential as… read more…
- Where Fathers Spend the Most Time on Child Care — 2026 Father’s Day Study
For fathers, work rarely stops at five o’clock. Beyond paid employment, fathers often balance household responsibilities and the daily logistics of family life. Where that balance is most demanding can vary widely based on local economic conditions, commute times and work schedules. SmartAsset analyzed the 50 states based on the number of minutes per day… read more…
- Best and Worst States for Drivers — 2026 Study
Car ownership consumes a major share of many household budgets. Between loan payments, maintenance, fuel and auto insurance, the cost of owning and operating a vehicle now averages more than $11,000 per year. Even as U.S. cities and counties increase investment in public transportation, more than 90% of American households own or lease at least… read more…
- Where Financial Advisor Income Grew Most – 2026 Study
Financial advisors’ earnings are shaped by a range of factors beyond individual skill or experience, including client volume, wealth, and income; target market; fee model and geography. Because economic conditions vary widely across the U.S., some areas may present stronger opportunities for advisors seeking to expand their practices. As remote work capabilities continue to improve,… read more…
- America’s New Boomtowns
Economic growth can change a city quickly. An influx of new residents and expanding business activity creates visible momentum, even as rapid change brings new strains. In recent years, some American cities stand out for attracting people, investment and development at a pace that sets them apart. Boomtown status does not mean growth benefits everyone… read more…
- States of Bankruptcy – 2026 Study
Bankruptcy can offer a financial reset, but how often Americans need it varies by state. Sudden unemployment, divorce, medical crises and other financial shocks can force households into bankruptcy, which research has linked to depression and adverse health outcomes. Individually, a bankruptcy filing signals acute financial distress; collectively, bankruptcy patterns can highlight where residents face… read more…
- America’s Safest Midsize Cities – 2026 Study
Safety and security are major determinants of quality of life. That’s especially true in midsize cities, where residents may seek a balance of opportunity, affordability and peace of mind. While no place is risk-free, some midsized cities offer residents a stronger sense of everyday security than others. SmartAsset examined more than 300 midsize cities —… read more…
- Where Seniors Are Targeted by Scams — 2026 Study
Millions of older Americans are targeted by financial scams each year. One analysis published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury found $27 billion in suspected elder financial exploitation in just a 12-month period. As digital banking, payments and communication become more common, scammers have more ways to reach victims and impersonate trusted institutions. Phishing… read more…
- Where Americans Are Struggling — and Thriving
Many Americans are feeling financial stress — a majority (57%) now say their financial situation is in only fair or poor shape, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. But that pressure is not spread evenly. In some states, residents may be contending with a tougher mix of high living costs, weaker incomes, and… read more…
- Where It Pays to Be in Nursing — 2026 Study
Nursing is a calling, but it’s also a paycheck, and location can have a major impact on that paycheck’s true value. While demand for nurses exists across the U.S., compensation does not factor evenly from state to state. After accounting for differences in local costs, some states offer nurses materially stronger earning power than others,… read more…
- The Gas Price Burden — Where Gas Prices Hit Hardest
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in California has topped $6 per gallon. However, while gas prices are posted by the gallon, they’re felt by the paycheck, and a tank of gas does not hit every household budget the same way. The same fill-up can be a minor errand in one area and a… read more…
- America’s Most Active Seniors — 2026 Study
SmartAsset set out to identify the states that are home to America’s most active seniors. The study calculated the average daily time people ages 65 and older spend on four activities — exercise, gardening, travel and volunteering — and ranked states based on the totals.
- America’s Best Value Small Colleges and Universities — 2026 Study
As the Class of 2026 prepares to begin the next chapter of its educational journey, many graduating seniors will opt for a small college experience. Some students are drawn to small colleges and universities for the personalized attention and sense of community they can offer compared to larger schools. Although attending such institutions could come… read more…
- When it Pays to Work in Texas — and When It Doesn’t
Whether it’s football, barbecue, or swagger, bigger is part of the Texas brand. But what about salaries? After accounting for regional price variations, state-to-state pay differences often narrow, but they do not disappear. Sometimes, earning a bigger paycheck may be as simple as crossing state lines. SmartAsset evaluated more than 700 occupations to identify the… read more…
- America’s Friendliest States — 2026 Study
The ways in which Americans connect vary widely by state. A range of factors contribute to a place’s overall character, but the time residents spend socializing, volunteering and helping people outside their own homes can shape how friendly it feels. SmartAsset analyzed the 50 states by the number of minutes per day residents spend on… read more…
- AI Attitudes, Adoption, and Benefits by State – 2026 Study
AI continues to accelerate its presence in politics, the economy, and personal lives, transforming everything from autonomous vehicles to medical discoveries to military operations and a myriad of other workflows and personal use cases. In turn, investors eagerly listen in to company earnings’ calls to understand the implications of this developing suite of technologies in… read more…