- States That Added the Most CFP® Professionals – 2024 Study
The total number of CFP® professionals in the U.S. grew by 11.5% over the last three years, with a net of more than 10,000 individuals added to the profession. But this growth was not equally spread across the country, and some demographic trends were more dominant than others. Observing such trends could lend a strategic… read more…
- Salary Needed to Live Comfortably – 2024 Study
While cost of living premiums and inflation metrics capture the price increases in goods and services, they do not necessarily account for all the additional costs needed to live comfortably – such as a buffer from the stress of living paycheck to paycheck. The 50/30/20 budget recommends that for sustainable comfort, 50% of your salary… read more…
- America’s Healthiest Cities – 2024 Study
Maintaining physical and mental health is an important part of one’s financial life, especially as one ages. The health status of an individual – and even the community at large – can impact the prices of healthcare, health insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance and other related expenses. It can also undercut the best laid… read more…
- Voter Turnout Trends in Last Election Cycle: Will 2024 See Continued Patterns?
As 15 states hold Democratic and Republican primaries on March 5, Super Tuesday, the number of people who vote and the candidates they select will offer key insight into the November 5th presidential election. Residents of California, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Colorado, Minnesota, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Utah, Maine and Alaska will determine the… read more…
- Make $250k? Here’s How Where You Live Impacts Its Value – 2024 Study
As your income goes up, so will your tax rates. In 2024, a $250,000 income eeks a single tax filer into the 35% federal income tax bracket. On top of that, you may need to factor in state and city taxes. And, depending on where you live, the cost of living could also take a… read more…
- Cities Where Income Inequality Is Highest and Lowest – 2024 Study
On average, the uppermost 80% of households earn more than four and half times what the bottom 20% earns. For example, in one city, the highest-earning households may average $140k annually or higher – compared to a $30k income earned by the bottom fifth of residents. This income inequality can divide local communities by creating… read more…
- What $100K Is Worth in the Largest U.S. Cities – 2024 Study
With taxes, housing, food and other costs varying widely across the U.S., a $100,000 income can look drastically different depending on where you live. Even places that don’t charge residents a state or local income tax can see a wide range for how far a dollar stretches thanks to cost of living differences. Because of… read more…
- Flu Vaccines Are Most Popular in These U.S. Cities – 2024 Study
Across the largest cities in the U.S., the uptake on flu vaccinations has been split. While an average of 50.7% of people aged 65 and over were inoculated, some cities ranged much higher or lower. When a given year’s flu vaccines can be matched to the spreading virus strains, the Centers for Disease Control and… read more…
- Americans Sleep Least in These U.S. Cities – 2024 Study
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes the connection between lack of sleep and long-term health issues, as well as a higher inclination for dangerous accidents. Long-term health issues can greatly affect your quality of life, including your financial well-being. Health care and long-term care can be a tremendous expense in retirement. But on… read more…
- Cities Adding the Most High-Income Households – 2024 Study
High-income households may have an outsized impact on local economies, which can put increased pressure on housing markets, shift demand for services and businesses, and tax base contributions. The IRS defines high income as taxpayers making $200,000 or more. Examining the rate of growth of this cohort allows us to identify potential up-and-coming alternatives to… read more…
- Where Most People Are Single or Married – 2024 Study
Whether you’re single or married affects more than your love life. Your relationship status can have a significant impact on your finances. Common advantages of being single include greater career flexibility and lower expenses. On the other hand, a couple also its own financial advantages, including tax benefits, Social Security benefits and economies of scale.… read more…
- Cities With the Most People Working From Home – 2024 Study
With the most recent U.S. Census Bureau designating the average commute time to work across large cities at 25 minutes, remote workers may save four hours per week or more compared to their in-person counterparts. Some commutes average up to 40 minutes one way. In an average city, 15.7% of workers are remote. But some… read more…
- Migration Patterns Between Regions in the U.S. – 2024 Study
Many factors can drive net migrations to and from the four major U.S. regions. From remote work enabling greater mobility, to changes in industry, cost of living, taxes, new legislation and beyond. A big-picture understanding of migration can reveal how it affects infrastructure, voting trends, employment and other aspects of those regions. With this in… read more…
- Industries With the Most Greenhouse Gas Emissions – 2024 Study
While industries could drive the growth of local economies, high emissions can also have a negative impact on the environment of those markets and put the overall success of those communities at risk. Examining emissions levels may help communities understand the total impact and tradeoffs associated with local industries, as well as help inspire innovations… read more…
- The Cleanest Electricity States in the US – 2024 Study
As the U.S. experiences more power outages, states are modernizing aging power grids with more sustainable alternatives. According to the Clean State Energy Alliance, 23 states currently have legislation that mandates cleaner energy. And with these shifts in infrastructure come business opportunities and reduced pollution. To find where clean electricity is most prevalent – and… read more…
- New Housing Additions in San Francisco Drop by 67% Over the Last Few Years – 2023 Study
San Francisco and surrounding neighborhoods have some of the most expensive home prices in the country. Prices peaked at an average $1.48 million in May 2022, according to Zillow. As of October 2023, home prices have come down roughly 15% to $1.254 million. Many factors can play a role in such dramatic shifts in home… read more…
- States With the Most EV Fast Chargers – 2023 Study
Many states are adopting laws that will phase out gas vehicles in the coming years. To accommodate this, states and private companies alike are looking to refresh infrastructure to provide charging capabilities for electric vehicles. Similarly, the federal government and many states are offering tax credits for EV purchases to encourage the shift to clean… read more…
- Gas Prices Decline Nearly 20% in Some States, Stay High in Others – 2023 Study
Gas prices have been on the decline since their all-time high in summer 2022. While the average last summer across the U.S. hit a record $5.00 per gallon, the current average has come down to $3.27 per gallon. But in some states, high prices have been more stubborn than in others. Demand, state legislation, transport… read more…
- Where Gen Z Is Moving – 2023 Study
Gen Z is young, with many still under age 18. For those 18-24, many are moving for college, to start their career or to explore life in a new place. While this cohort may not have the disposable income of their older counterparts, their movement still plays an important role in local economies. An asymmetrical… read more…
- Where Baby Boomers Are Moving – 2023 Study
While many baby boomers have now entered retirement, many more remain in the workforce with retirement upcoming. As this generation transitions into retired life, many may choose to move to a city more suitable for their new cash flows and routines. Some places may offer better tax advantages, lower cost of living, proximity to family,… read more…
- Where Gen X Is Moving – 2023 Study
As Gen X prepares to send kids to college and inches closer to retirement, this age group has had time to see compound interest grow their investments while advancing their careers. This means an individual Gen Xer may have an outsized impact on local economies than their younger cohorts, despite generally being less mobile. Keeping… read more…
- Where Millennials Are Moving – 2023 Study
One in four millennials moved to a different city in 2022. Whether they come from within the same county, state, out-of-state or abroad, these migrations can impact local small businesses, housing markets and social dynamics. With this in mind, SmartAsset set out to determine where millennials are moving to most. Millennials were defined as people… read more…
- Cities Where Population Has Decreased the Most – 2023 Study
When a city’s population declines – whether birth rates go down, deaths increase, or people simply move to another area – it can affect the housing market, small businesses, employment and other factors. Paying attention to demographic changes can help residents, governments and businesses understand new trends and inform how to best position themselves. With… read more…
- Cities Where Housing Vacancy Rates Are Highest – 2023 Study
For five years up until 2022, the housing vacancy rate in the largest U.S. cities fell from 9.3% to 7.3%. During that same period, the median sale price of a home in the U.S. jumped from $322,425 to $457,475, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Vacancy rates may indicate an inefficient use… read more…
- Cities Where Population Grew the Most Over Five Years – 2023 Study
This story was last updated November 3, 2023. Population growth can have a ripple effect throughout a local economy. As people move into an area and families grow, demand on housing, local businesses and infrastructure can be unexpectedly impacted. Examining shifts in populations and their dynamics can help residents understand the greater economic picture and… read more…