- The “Vibe Price” of Gasoline — 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…
- Where Home Prices Increased Most – 2026 Study
Home values can reflect cost of living trends in an area, giving hopeful homebuyers as well as existing homeowners a pulse on the momentum in their local market. Between 2025 and 2026, the typical home value in large U.S. cities actually declined by 1.04%, with values dropping in 70% of cities. But the full range… read more…
- What a Roommate Can Save You in 100 U.S. Cities – 2026 Study
New college grads, transplants from other cities, and others might find myriad advantages in including a roommate in their housing plan – one of those being cost savings. Particularly in high cost-of-living areas, extra cushion in the budget could make a big difference in discretionary spending, paying off debt, or investing for the future. Across… read more…
- Gas Prices Hit Records in 2026: State by State Breakdown
With gas prices in the U.S. hitting several-year highs as a result of military operations in the Middle East and subsequent pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, many households may be feeling the squeeze of the cost of their commute lately. As of April 1st, the national average price of a regular gallon stands at… read more…
- Where Rent Increased and Decreased Most – 2026 Study
Rent in 100 of the largest U.S. cities increased by an average 1.73% over the past year, going from $1,810 to $1,843. Meanwhile, general inflation – estimated to be at 2.41% nationally over the same time period – exceeded the rent increases, giving some households extra purchasing power of their biggest monthly expense. Still, many… read more…
- Salary Needed to Live Comfortably in U.S. Cities – 2026 Study
To truly understand the context of a household’s income, it must be compared to local costs and long-term goals, which both may fluctuate over time. For most people, the same pillars will make up the biggest nonnegotiables in their budget. These include basic necessities like housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation, and likely some discretionary spending… read more…
- Where Americans Are Happiest – 2026 Study
Happiness may not be easy to quantify, but some qualifiers may make a person more likely to feel satisfied in life. A reasonable degree of financial freedom can alleviate worry about day-to-day costs and the occasional unexpected expense. Similarly, good relationships, overall health and longevity, basic conveniences and privacy can go a long way in… read more…
- Where Cost of Living Increased and Decreased Most – 2026 Study
The cost of living premium in a specific location reflects the relative cost of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and other common necessities, compared to the rest of the country. The overall valuation of a dollar also comes into play, with general inflation metrics keeping tabs on nationwide trends and applied across a wider basket of… read more…
- Retirement Savings by State – 2026 Study
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts can give savers a leg up in building their nest egg. While many American workers qualify for Social Security benefits in retirement, these benefits are rarely enough to cover expenses – especially since retirement often brings added costs for health care and aging. On average, Americans have roughly one year’s worth of… read more…
- Student Loan Debt by State – 2026 Study
Over $32.4 billion dollars in student loan debt remained unpaid across U.S. states in 2025. Student loan debt can have a lasting impact on a household’s finances, just like the benefits of the right education and application can have a lasting impact on career and income. It’s important to weigh the costs and potential benefits,… read more…
- How Far Does $100,000 Go in U.S. Cities? 2026 Study
While a $100,000 income may serve as a mental threshold for a little financial breathing room, its real purchasing power depends largely on location and lifestyle. Taxes vary across the nation, with many states and even some cities tacking on additional charges to federal collections. And depending on how taxes are filed, reaching a $100,000… read more…
- Medicaid and CHIP Reliance by State – 2026 Study
With some Medicaid funds to Minnesota currently halted due to fraud investigations led by Vice President JD Vance and the White House, many individuals may be wondering if their benefits could be at stake next. Statistics show that up to 33% of the population in each state, including children, may be receiving Medicaid or CHIP… read more…
- What It Takes to Be Middle Class in America – 2026 Study
Often, the expectations that come with the term “middle class” include reaching home ownership, raising kids, the comfort of modest emergency funds and retirement savings, and the occasional splurge or vacation. In practice, a Pew Research definition sets the bounds of the middle class at two-thirds to two-times the median income. And as the median… read more…
- Average Net Worth and Assets by State – 2026 Study
A household’s net worth can reveal a lot about their overall financial well-being. Liquid assets can provide better odds for approval for home loans or other lines of credit, cushioning for unpredictable life events, and the potential to make your money work for you through investments. But households in different locations often manage different savings… read more…
- Where Millennials Are Moving – 2026 Study
Millennials now make up an estimated 36% of the workforce, making this cohort highly valuable to any local economy. With more flexibility than ever due to remote work and rapidly developing technologies, many Millennial households opt to move locations in pursuit of job opportunities, higher pay, preferable lifestyles, and family considerations, among other reasons. Locations… read more…
- Where Most People Are About to Retire – 2026 Study
Many individuals aged 55 to 64 are at the peak of their earning, contributing to local taxes and sometimes with plenty of discretionary income to spare on local businesses. On average, 11.0% of the population in large cities, and an estimated 17.1% of households in this age bracket make $200,000 or more, earning the “high… read more…
- Where Most People Are Single or Married – 2026 Study
One of the most important decisions in someone’s financial life and beyond can be whom they choose as a partner. On average, 40.1% of adults in large cities have found their partner, while another 42.5% have yet to make that decision and remain single. The balance may be inherently off, with an average of 107… read more…
- Cities Adding the Most High-Income Households – 2026 Study
The number of high income households in a community can have a large impact on local economics. High income households – defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as those earning $200,000 or more per year – generally contribute more dollars to the local and state tax bases, and to surrounding businesses. At the same… read more…
- Snowfall Records by County – 2026 Study
This week, a massive winter storm swept across much of the United States, blanketing regions from Texas to the Northeast with heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and ice, often exceeding 12 inches of precipitation. High snowfall can cause a variety of productivity disruptions, from the closing of schools and workplaces to costly interventions to clear… read more…
- Where Most People Work From Home – 2026 Study
Remote work can open up a lot of opportunities for employees, families, and employers alike. However, shifts into remote work may also cause short-term challenges to some communities – such as loss or redistribution of businesses and services used by commuters. Between 2023 and 2024, remote work actually declined in large U.S. cities, going from… read more…