- States With the Strongest Unions – 2022 Edition
Union members tend to earn more than their non-union peers. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that non-union workers have median weekly earnings that are only 83% of the earnings for union workers. And while union membership is… read more…
- This Chart Shows You How Many Years an Extra $100K Buys You in Retirement
Will I outlive my retirement savings? This question dogs many retirement savers who view their accounts, often far shy of $1 million, with dread and fear. After all, aspiring retirees have to plan for longer lifespans, potentially steep medical costs… read more…
- Most Dog-Friendly Cities in America – 2022 Edition
In 2021, over $100 billion was spent on the pet industry in the U.S. alone. While that figure includes pets of all kinds, dogs make up the majority of pet ownership in the U.S. with 48 million households caring for… read more…
- Best Places to Be a Teacher – 2022 Edition
Teachers play an important role in enriching the minds of the next generation. And though the work itself may be rewarding, the pay often isn’t. Education jobs consistently fail to keep pace with inflation and are among the least financially-rewarding… read more…
- Where High-Earning Households Are Moving – 2022 Study
Households that make over $200,000 annually comprise just a sliver of all tax returns that are filed in a given year, but their movement between states can have a significant financial impact. When a state loses more high-earning tax filers… read more…
- This Chart Shows How Contributing to an HSA Can Pay Off Big
Contributing to a 401(k) or individual retirement account (IRA) isn’t the only way to save for retirement. While most people think of health savings accounts (HSAs) as tools for covering annual medical expenses, they can also be valuable retirement savings… read more…
- Best States for Women’s Healthcare – 2022 Study
According to the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey for June 1 to June 13, 2022, a little over one in seven women report being in poorer health, and more challenges are afoot. Recent legal changes concerning abortion have restricted access to… read more…
- Where Residents Are Most Severely Housing Cost-Burdened – 2022 Edition
With higher home prices, rising interest rates and a bear market upon us, Americans are struggling to find affordable housing. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, residents in cities across the nation are considered severely cost-burdened when their household spends more than 50% of their combined income on housing costs.… read more…
- Best Places for Career Opportunities – 2022 Edition
Despite rising inflation and recent stock market instability, it’s still a job seeker’s market. There are roughly 11 million job openings available nationwide as of May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For the same month, there were 6.5 million hires. Data from June 2022 shows a 4% increase in the percentage… read more…
- Top 50 Fastest-Growing Financial Advisor Firms – 2022 Edition
The independent wealth management industry has grown significantly over the past decade and many financial advisors think it will continue to grow looking forward. According to a 2022 Schwab Advisor Services’ Independent Advisor Outlook Study, about 93% of firms expect… read more…
- Income Thresholds to Be a Top Earner in America’s Largest Cities – 2022 Edition
The median household income is about $65,000, according to the most recent Census Bureau data. And while this can give a sense for what a typical American family is earning, income quintiles can shed light on the disparity between the top and bottom earners. In fact, the minimum threshold to be among the top 20%… read more…
- Cities With the Most Resilient Economies – 2022 Study
Despite nationwide lockdowns and sudden economic instability unleashed early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. economy showed resiliency, roaring back in the months that followed. But inflation and a bear market are now presenting new challenges that are reshaping the… read more…
- These Charts Show Why You Should Continue Investing During a Bear Market
The June 13 news that equities had officially entered bear market territory sent some investors reeling. The S&P 500, an index that tracks a broad spectrum of stocks, closed 21% below its January 2022 highs. The last time stocks tumbled so precipitously was during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when markets fell amid mass… read more…
- Best Cities for Young Professionals – 2022 Edition
If you’re a young professional, chances are that you haven’t hit your peak earning years yet. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for people ages 25 to 34 is just $975. Median weekly earnings rise from there, climbing to $1,155 for people 35 to 44 years old,… read more…
- Best States to Own an Electric Vehicle – 2022 Study
Between 2014 and 2019, electric car sales increased by 174.8%. Among the commonly cited reasons for considering an electric vehicle purchase, 30% of respondents in a 2021 Forbes survey cited the reduced cost of fuel. With the national average for… read more…
- Salary Needed to Afford Home Payments in the 15 Largest U.S. Cities – 2022 Edition
Housing costs for new homeowners are at an all-time high with double digit home price increases over a one-year period since 2021. However, median household income has not kept pace, decreasing by 2.9% over a similar one-year period. Affording monthly home payments is challenging in today’s economy, especially when considering the non-mortgage debt that many… read more…
- Fastest-Growing Jobs for Young Professionals – 2022 Edition
It should come as no surprise that a computer-related profession is the fastest-growing occupation among people ages 25 to 34. However, other jobs that have seen the significant growth among young workers in recent years aren’t limited to computers and technology. Instead, they run the gamut from health care workers to pilots and aviation engineers,… read more…
- Most Livable Mid-Sized Cities – 2022 Edition
With skyrocketing inflation rippling through the economy, some large cities once thought of as affordable are quickly losing that title among Americans. Additionally, since the start of the pandemic, an estimated five million people have relocated, encouraged by the flexibility of remote work. While small towns have their charm, mid-sized cities offer a balance between… read more…
- States With the Most Irresponsible Drivers – 2022 Edition
Traffic fatalities are rising on American roadways, once again highlighting the importance of safe driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic deaths spiked 10.5% in 2021 when 42,915 people were killed in crashes. That uptick followed a particularly harrowing 2020, which saw 38,824 motor vehicle fatalities. It had been the deadliest year… read more…
- Best Cities for Working Parents – 2022 Edition
Life is tough for working moms and dads, and the pandemic has exacerbated the stress that parents in the workforce face. A new report from The Ohio State University shows that roughly 66% of working parent respondents met the criteria for burnout. Financial concerns are top of mind for many parents, especially as the prices… read more…
- Best Cities for Women in Tech – 2022 Edition
The U.S. tech industry has steadily grown year-over-year and is projected to see another 178,000 tech jobs enter the market in 2022. But while the industry’s median income continues to skyrocket above the national median income, women only make up 26.1% of all tech workers and earn just 84% of what men do. Depending on… read more…
- Where Elevated Gas Prices Are Highest (and Lowest) Relative to Incomes – 2022 Study
After months of climbing gas prices, the national average has hit new highs, reaching $5 per gallon of regular gasoline in June. According to recent data from AAA, the national average for regular gasoline was $4.98 per gallon on June 20, 2022. With these significant increases, Americans across the country are looking for new ways… read more…
- Cities Where Renters Can Afford to Live Alone – 2022 Edition
Rent prices are rising rapidly in many of America’s largest cities. Nationally, average rent increased by 11.3% between the start of 2021 and 2022. To more comfortably afford housing costs, some renters opt to share a space. The Pew Research Center reports that nearly one in three adults have a roommate. However, many people prefer… read more…
- Best Places to Live on a $65,000 Salary – 2022 Edition
As of April 2022, the 12-month inflation rate is 8.3% and the highest it has been in over 20 years. Among other things, this has translated to a higher cost of living for many Americans. According to a report from the Capital One Insights Center, only 18% of consumers said their wages kept up with the… read more…
- Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers – 2022 Edition
As home prices continue to skyrocket, it has become increasingly difficult for first-time buyers to afford a home. In April 2021, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) sponsored federal legislation that would create a refundable tax credit of up to $15,000 for first-time homebuyers, similar to the one included in the 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act.… read more…