- What Is the Cost of Living in Maine?
Maine is the eastern-most state in the U.S., and is known for the natural beauty of its forests and coastline. Along with these attractions, though, comes a cold climate. As far as Maine’s cost of living goes, income taxes can… read more…
- The Best Cities for Women in Tech in 2016
Women in the U.S. tech industry have long faced major disparities in both employment and pay. Last year, SmartAsset’s analysis of Census Bureau data found that women hold less than 26% of tech jobs in the U.S. and on average earn just 85% of what men in those positions earn. We further found that in… read more…
- The Best Cities for Public Transportation in 2016
According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the average auto commuter in the United States spends 42 hours per year in traffic. That same study puts the price tag of those delays at $960 per driver. In big cities, the numbers are even uglier. Drivers in the 15 largest U.S. metro areas spend an average… read more…
- What Is the Cost of Living in Maryland?
Maryland is an expensive state to live in. The Old Line State has a pricey home market, as well as above average rent prices. The statewide cost of utilities and groceries aren’t any better either. Despite this, though, Maryland is… read more…
- The Cost of Living in Montana
Montana, the Treasure State, is home to some of America’s most spectacular landscapes. It’s a small state in terms of population, with a little over one million residents. In fact, Montana has just 6.8 people per square mile, compared to… read more…
- The Best Cities for Pay in STEM Jobs – 2016 Edition
The median pay among STEM workers in 2014 was more than $72,000. That’s more than double the median income among all occupations, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Few would argue, however, that STEM workers are generally overpaid. Experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math are key contributors to economic growth.… read more…
- What Is the Cost of Living in New Jersey?
New Jersey has some of the highest taxes in the U.S. It also has some very high home prices, driven in part by its proximity to New York City and its population density (the highest in the country). Despite this,… read more…
- The Best Cities for Singles (Who Like Being Single) in 2016
In modern America, being single is too often conflated with being lonely. This is especially true on Valentine’s Day, when couples celebrate their love with gifts and flowers and expensive dinners while singles are expected to sit around at home feeling sorry for themselves. But what if being single isn’t all that bad? What if… read more…
- America’s Best Hockey Towns of 2016
Recent population trends suggest that Americans are tired of the cold. While states like Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York have experienced an outflux of residents in recent years, states like Texas and Arizona have benefitted from substantial interstate immigration. It’s easy to see why: not only do southern and western locales offer cheerier weather, they… read more…
- What Is the Cost of Living in South Carolina?
If you’re thinking about moving to the Palmetto State, it’s important to know what the cost of living is there. The state has a high income tax and a high sales tax, though property taxes are very low. The state… read more…
- The Best Cities for an Affordable Wedding in 2016
Your wedding is supposed to be one of the best days of your life – but it can also be one of the most expensive. In 2014, the average wedding in the U.S. cost $31,213, according to The Knot’s Real Weddings Study. That’s a lot of mullah! The good news is that couples who don’t… read more…
- The Economics of Composting
Composting for homeowners is a small but growing movement. At the industrial level, it’s catching on, too. 24% of the waste that Americans throw away is food and yard waste. That waste could all be composted, keeping it out of… read more…
- The True Cost of Living in Georgia
Georgia has quite a lot to offer its residents. For example, the state has reasonable home prices, as well as rents that come in below the national median. On the other hand, utility bills in Georgia fall within the top 10… read more…
- What Is the Cost of Living in Virginia?
Virginia is for lovers, as the saying goes. Whether you’re a history buff or a nature enthusiast, you should find lots to love in Virginia. The standard of living in Virginia is high, with a cost of living to match; however, taxes… read more…
- 9 Ways to Find Roommates Online
It’s no secret that buying a home is out of reach for many young Americans today. Studies have shown that the number of renters are increasing, and for many of those who rent, living with a roommate is a financial necessity.… read more…
- The Most Affordable Beach Towns in 2016
Fact: Americans love beaches. From Miami Beach to Venice Beach to Coney Island, we love to sit in the sand next to the sea and soak up the sun. We love listening to the waves roll in and we love to watch the sun rise (or set) over the ocean. We have songs about the… read more…
- The Cost of Living in North Carolina
If you’re considering a move to North Carolina, you’re probably wondering about the cost of living in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina’s state income taxes operate on a flat rate, meaning everyone pays an identical percentage, but the cost… read more…
- The Cost of Living in Oregon
Oregon has plenty to offer anyone that loves nature. The Beaver State is known as a great place to visit, but there are also many benefits to calling it home. Whether you’re drawn to the artisanal offerings of Portland, the… read more…
- The Best Cities for Beer Drinkers – 2015 Edition
We may be living in the golden age of good beer. According to the Brewers Association, there are more breweries and brewpubs in the United States today than at any point in the past century. And the number is only increasing. In 2014 alone, 456 new microbreweries opened for business in the U.S. That’s more… read more…
- The Cost of Living in Arizona
If you love hot, sunny weather and natural beauty, you’ll love Arizona. The Grand Canyon State has a diverse population and plenty of natural attractions. When it comes to taxes, the state’s sales tax is high, but property and income… read more…
- The Top 10 Boomtowns of 2015
In the story of the great recession and the ensuing recovery, 2015 may be remembered as the year the economy finally returned to full strength. Unemployment is at its lowest rate in a decade. Housing prices are climbing steadily upwards. GDP growth is consistent if not robust. In some cities, however, the story of the… read more…
- How to Convince Your Landlord to Lower Your Rent
Rental housing prices are now sky high and rental payments easily take the biggest chunk out of workers’ paychecks. And in certain areas, like Oakland and New York City, more than 70% of the median household income goes toward rent.… read more…
- The Cost of Living in Florida
The Sunshine State: Whether you love Florida for Disney, Major League Baseball spring training, Art Basel or the Keys, you’ve probably thought about moving there, especially on a cold winter day somewhere else. There are many exciting activities you’ll have access… read more…
- How Much House Can Millennials Afford?
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, millennials (born between 1980 and 2000) are buying homes at a far lower rate than previous generations. The 2015 Q3 homeownership rate for adults under the age of 35 was 35.8%. In 1995 it was 39.1%. In 2005 it was even higher at 43%. While no one… read more…
- The Best Ski Towns in America – 2015 Edition
Shorter days, cold weather, lousy produce: there’s much to dislike about winter. Indeed, surveys of public opinion routinely find that winter is America’s least favorite season. (Spring and fall trade places as the favorites.) There’s even a medical term for winter-induced melancholy: seasonal affective disorder. In America’s ski towns, however, this attitude is flipped on its… read more…