isData Studies

February 4, 2026One 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…

February 18, 2026The 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…

January 26, 2026This 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…

February 18, 2026Remote 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…

February 18, 2026While poor health can strain personal finances through escalating medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning potential, strong health often correlates with greater productivity, higher incomes, and lower overall healthcare costs. On a broader scale, healthier populations benefit from reduced societal burdens – like lower insurance premiums and fewer productivity losses – while enjoying enhanced… read more…

January 12, 2026With recent fraud investigations ongoing in Minnesota and beyond – often allegedly centered on childcare businesses and other programs for needy children – followed by a new announcement of free daycares from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, taxpayers may be eager to understand where their tax dollars go. According to the latest data from… read more…

December 18, 2025The Affordable Care Act, ACA – commonly known as Obamacare – offers federally backed health insurance for millions of Americans. Certain tax credits act as monthly premium subsidies for the insured, generally bringing the costs down by thousands of dollars per year. However, the funding for these subsidies are set to expire at the end… read more…

December 11, 2025American babies are now eligible to receive a $1,000 initial investment in a “Trump account” per new tax legislation. The money – which will be tied to the stock market, can be added to and cannot be used until the child turns 18 – gives each child some capability to fund certain activities as they… read more…

December 9, 2025Last year, Americans spent $228 billion on alcoholic beverages for private consumption, with the average adult spending $898 each. But cultural, social, geographic, demographic, and economic differences all contribute to the divergence of popularity of alcohol in each state. This may have resounding impacts on local communities, ranging all the way from contributions to their… read more…

February 18, 2026Even after the mortgage is paid off, homeowners face ongoing property taxes across the United States. While senior citizens, owner-occupants, and other groups may receive preferential tax treatment in some jurisdictions, homeowners still pay anywhere from 1% to 10% of their income on property taxes. These taxes pay for local infrastructure and amenities – putting… read more…

December 2, 2025While the cost of raising a young child can now reach over $40,000 in pre-tax income annually depending on where you live, many families find ways to mitigate some of the larger costs associated with parenthood. This often includes considerations around who’s going to work in the household, and whether young children will require paid… read more…

November 25, 2025During the biggest travel week of the year, the chance of flight delays paired with declining gas prices in many states may prompt many families to drive to their Thanksgiving destinations. However, gas prices in some places did increase substantially, even outpacing general inflation. So for those crossing state lines, paying attention to gas prices… read more…

November 20, 2025It’s that time of year when many households assess their budgets ahead of holiday parties, gifting and sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Local businesses, ecommerce businesses, and even governments collecting associated sales tax benefit from these end-of-year purchases. To accommodate the seasonal surge in spending, businesses must often plan ahead to account… read more…

February 18, 2026While some members of Gen Z may still be working entry level jobs while attending high school or college, much of this cohort has now entered the workforce in earnest. As the least experienced generation on the schedule, Gen Z is generally paid less than their older counterparts, with this holding true in 93% of… read more…

April 18, 2026The top 1% of earners across the U.S. earn an average of 19.5% of all income – sometimes garnering criticism from pundits and politicians – but pay 37% of total income taxes. This cohort thus contributes the largest chunk of funding for infrastructure, healthcare, welfare programs, and more, despite advantages that may enable them to… read more…

November 11, 2025In 2025, the average annual cost of raising a child under five in the United States reached $27,743. These costs – which cover additional housing, food, transportation, healthcare, miscellaneous items and childcare for a working couple – rose 4.5% between 2024 and 2025, slightly outpacing the 2.82% inflation rate during the same timeframe. But costs… read more…

November 17, 2025Flight delays can be due to myriad reasons, including individual airline efficiency, geography, weather, staffing, security incidents and more. As the holiday season ramps up, air travel is projected to hit record highs, with AAA forecasting 82 million passengers traveling during Thanksgiving week alone. This surge in demand, coupled with potential winter weather and any… read more…

November 3, 2025Nearly 42 million individuals across the United States are covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to May 2025 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with a monthly benefit of around $188 per person. Use of the SNAP program and benefit amounts vary greatly by state, meaning residents in some areas will… read more…

October 30, 2025In addition to taking on the risks of gambling, taxpayers must pay their regular income tax rate on net winnings. U.S. states collected $2.6 billion in taxes on sports betting in 2024, a 29% increase from a year earlier. Incentivized by this tax revenue, many states have been loosening their sports-betting laws, with more considering… read more…

February 27, 2026Millennials, now squarely in their prime working years, earn an average premium of 8.8% across large U.S. cities, outpacing the local median earnings of all households. However, supply and demand for labor – generally dictated by the alignment between local industry dynamics and resident qualifications – can have a large impact on the earnings, with… read more…

October 20, 2025Over 2.78 million Americans reported actively participating in cryptocurrencies according to the latest IRS data, with estimates asserting Bitcoin prevalence for roughly 75% of all users. The ascent in Bitcoin’s value over the years – among other currencies – has undoubtedly made fortunes for many investors. But the IRS did not start tracking general cryptocurrency involvement… read more…

October 14, 2025Over 61 million Americans receive Medicare benefits to help pay for their healthcare in retirement, a figure up 30% in less than a decade. A low standard monthly premium affords people 65 and older access to care through Part A and Part B coverage, with the option to opt for semi-privatized Part C coverage, also… read more…

October 9, 2025With Congress unable to agree upon funding legislation for 2026, the federal government shut down October 1st. Federal agencies deferred to funding contingency plans, typically resulting in furloughs for significant chunks of their workforces. These furloughed employees are not receiving paychecks during this time, though backpay is likely once a deal is struck. But the… read more…

October 7, 2025Across all 50 states, the population increased by an average of 1.55% over one year. But some states saw a much larger boom in the number of residents, while others lagged behind. And within each state, population growth – or decline – varied from county to county. Birth rates, immigration, and households moving within the… read more…

October 29, 2025To gauge housing affordability at an individual level, many financial advisors use the rule of thumb that payments shouldn’t exceed 28% of your gross income. Fitting in with this guidance, housing payments accounted for an estimated 20.98% of the median household income across the United States in 2024, according to the newest Census Bureau data.… read more…