- 20%, 10% or 5%? How Your Down Payment Affects the Rest of Your Finances
When interest rates were low and stocks were on a tear, the demand for American homes pushed prices to unprecedented heights1. Down payments have also risen, but the median down payment of 14% is still well below the traditional standard… read more…
- $300K Is the ‘New $100K’ in NYC. Here’s How Taxes and Costs Affect U.S. Cities – 2023 Study
- What It Takes to Be Middle Class in America’s Largest Cities – 2023 Study
The middle class has long been considered the backbone of the American economy. But the American middle class is shrinking. The percentage of adults living in middle-income households in the United States fell by more than 10 percentage points over… read more…
- Where Your Tax Dollars Go: States Most Dependent on the Federal Government – 2023 Study
In 2022, the federal government spent $6.27 trillion1. Most of the government’s revenue comes from taxes collected from individuals and businesses across the U.S. Though taxes are mostly collected by the federal government, individual states are primary recipients of that… read more…
- Where Americans Write Off the Most in Taxes – 2023 Study
With the April 18 tax deadline looming, Americans must choose between itemizing deductions or taking the standard deduction to reduce their tax obligations and pocket as much money as possible. Since the standard deduction was nearly doubled in 2018 as… read more…
- Where Retirees Are Moving – 2023 Study
Fixed incomes can’t go as far for retirees with the current pressures from high inflation and a volatile stock market. For some, relocating to a cheaper or more tax-friendly part of the country may no longer be a matter of preference,… read more…
- Should You Delay Social Security During a Down Market or Take It at 62?
Down markets can present a difficult decision for new retirees. On one hand, withdrawing money from the market during a downturn can lock in investment losses, wreaking havoc on the longevity of their retirement plan. Conversely, avoiding portfolio withdrawals early… read more…
- Where People Are Buying Second Homes – 2023 Edition
There’s often more risk involved when purchasing a second home than with a first home. Potential buyers may depend on rental cashflows, be wary of potential natural disasters, and be concerned about maintaining the property from a distance. And in a particularly volatile… read more…
- Best Housing Markets for Growth and Stability – 2023 Edition
Gone are the days of a sub-3% mortgage, commonplace during the housing market boom of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mortgage rates have steadily increased since the Federal Reserve started hiking interest rates in March 2022 to combat inflation. As a result,… read more…
- What a Roommate Saves You in 50 U.S. Cities – 2023 Edition
Renters in many parts of the country are feeling the effects of inflation. Renting a home costs an average of 8.6% more in January 2023 than 12 months earlier, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. As a potential stopgap, renters might consider sharing their home with a roommate to help lower monthly housing expenses.… read more…
- Where Residents Are Hurting the Most Financially – 2023 Edition
For nearly two years, inflation has hit Americans where it hurts most: their wallets. Despite a strong labor market, a higher percentage of American families are struggling to make ends meet today when compared with two years ago. In early… read more…
- What $100,000 Is Actually Worth in the Largest U.S. Cities – 2023 Study
Seen as a sign of success and financial comfort, a six-figure salary has long been an important milestone for American workers. But the times have changed and $100,000 isn’t quite what it used to be, especially as rampant inflation continues… read more…
- Salary Needed to Live Comfortably in the 25 Largest Metro Areas – 2023 Edition
It’s hard to feel financially stable when the cost of living continues to take a bigger bite out of your budget. While salaries increased 5.1% between December 2021 and December 2022, wage growth couldn’t keep up with inflation, which averaged 8% in 2022. Ultimately, inflation has affected everything from the cost of housing to the… read more…
- Best Cities for Women in Leadership – 2023 Study
More women are running Fortune 500 companies today than ever before. Yet, the number of women helming America’s largest corporations is still surprisingly low – only 10%, according to Fortune. Zooming out further, women face a steeper climb up the hiring ladder than men. Research from McKinsey and Company, a global management consulting firm, indicates… read more…
- Where the Gender Wage Gap Is Closing – 2023 Study
When it comes to the gender wage gap, statistics paint a disappointing picture. Women made 83 cents for every dollar earned by a man in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, that figure hasn’t changed much… read more…
- States With the Largest Tax Refunds – 2023 Edition
As we progress through the 2023 tax season, many Americans have their eyes on a potential tax refund. But getting money back from the government can actually be a double-edged sword. Earning a large tax refund may mean that you… read more…
- What’s the Best Way to Invest When Markets Are Shaky? Here’s What History Tells Us
What should you do with your money during a bear market? That’s the question many investors have been asking since the S&P 500 officially entered bear market territory last summer. On one hand, investors may see the current market environment… read more…
- Fastest-Growing STEM Jobs in the U.S. – 2023 Edition
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs are projected to grow 15% between 2021 and 2031. But this year is a mixed bag for many workers in these occupations. In recent months, tens of thousands of tech workers have been laid off at big firms such as Meta, Amazon and Google. Keeping this in mind, SmartAsset… read more…
- Best Places for Black Entrepreneurs – 2023 Edition
Black Americans are the third-largest racial or ethnic group in the U.S., making up just over 12% of the population. But less than 3% of all businesses are Black-owned. Some places outperform others, however, when it comes to the prevalence, success, and financial health of Black-owned companies and business owners. In celebration and recognition of… read more…
- Places With the Most Layoff Anxiety – 2023 Study
While mass layoffs in the tech sector have dominated news headlines recently, the labor market remains especially strong. The U.S. economy added 517,000 jobs in January 2023 and unemployment dipped to its lowest point in more than a half-century. But fears of recession still linger. A recent Harris Poll and Fast Company survey of 1,000 Americans… read more…
- Safest Cities in America – 2023 Edition
In real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. In fact, the National Association of Realtors’ annual survey of homebuyers from 2022 found that nearly half of all buyers (49%) cited the quality of a neighborhood as the No. 1… read more…
- Best Cities for Budget Dating This Valentine’s Day – 2023 Study
The gas pump and grocery store aren’t the only places where people have felt the effects of inflation recently. The dating scene is no exception, as dating has become increasingly expensive in recent years. In fact, a 2022 Match.com survey… read more…
- Where Black Americans Fare Best Economically – 2023 Edition
Nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st century, Black Americans continue to face significant financial inequality. In 2021, the median income of Black households was almost $23,000 less than the median income of all households nationally, according to Census Bureau data. And the income gap between Black and white households was even greater,… read more…
- Cities Where Residents Have the Worst Commutes – 2023 Edition
While remote work has boomed in the last three years, the majority of working Americans still commute to work. According to the Census, a one-way commute took workers an average of 25.6 minutes in 2021. Using this estimate, workers in 2023 will average almost 222 hours (or a little over nine days) driving to and… read more…
- Down Payment vs. ‘Down the Aisle’: Where a Wedding Costs More Than a Home – 2023 Edition
When planning for a milestone like a wedding or buying a home, many couples find that they have to choose between the two. Paying for a wedding can be a very big expense, but putting a down payment on a… read more…