Income

May 6, 2026Nursing is a calling, but it’s also a paycheck, and location can have a major impact on that paycheck’s true value. While demand for nurses exists across the U.S., compensation does not factor evenly from state to state. After accounting for differences in local costs, some states offer nurses materially stronger earning power than others,… read more…

April 23, 2026Whether 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…

March 24, 2026To 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…

March 11, 2026Tax-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…

March 3, 2026While 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…

February 26, 2026Often, 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…

April 30, 2026A 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

September 16, 2025Nationwide, the median household income reached $83,730 in 2024, growing just 1.3% year over year. This means many households did not keep pace with the roughly 3% inflation rate during the same time period, but that was not true everywhere. Especially in large cities where residents often pay a premium for convenience, infrastructure and amenities,… read more…

August 20, 2025The United States depends heavily on credit cards, with the Federal Reserve reporting that credit cards account for 32% of transactions nationwide. Benefits like rewards programs, budgeting tools, credit-building, fraud protection, interest-free promotions and more make them valuable tools for everyday purchases and big-ticket items across most lifestyles. But when credit card holders encounter issues… read more…

July 22, 2025Nearly 1.5 million households across the United States now rank among the top 1% of earners, according to the latest tax return data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On average, it takes $731,492 in annual income to be a part of this group. But that threshold looks different depending on where you live. Economic… read more…

July 1, 2025The demand for different career paths and qualifications varies widely from place to place, often depending on local economic features, including geography, infrastructure, politics, culture and resources. Similarly, what makes one job market more appealing than others can depend on a job-hunter’s financial and familial circumstances. Not only does the presence of jobs and a… read more…

June 4, 2025As cost of living increases seem to permanently make their way to important budget items, individuals and families increasingly need more income to support a comfortable lifestyle over the long-term. This means being able to afford hobbies, vacations, retirement savings, education funds, and the occasional emergency – in addition to necessities like housing, groceries, transportation… read more…

May 22, 2025According to the Social Security Administration, the average annual retirement benefit nationwide is just shy of $24,000. Meanwhile, supplemental income from designated retirement accounts, such as a pension, 401(k), 403(b), or Roth or traditional IRA, averages just over an additional $30,000 annually for retirees across U.S. cities. A combined average of about $54,000 puts many… read more…

May 29, 2025Net capital gains, the profits from selling assets like stocks, real estate, or businesses, are a key measure of investment success and regional wealth. These gains are realized only upon sale and are taxable at preferential rates when held for a year or longer: 0%, 15% or 20%. Other investment incomes, such as ordinary dividends… read more…

April 2, 2025Various dynamics can impact the cost of filling specific roles in the labor market. When demand for certain goods and services outpaces the local supply of resources, the wages for skilled professionals in those fields may be higher – and vice versa. Similarly, the labor supply can shape pay trends for certain. For example, a… read more…

March 24, 2025Most households aim to maintain a cushion between the necessary spending for day-to-day necessities – like housing, food, utilities and childcare – while also enjoying life in the moment and saving for the future. This means keeping room in the budget for the occasional vacation or splurge, as well as savings for long-term goals like… read more…

March 6, 2025As of September 2024, over 1.8 million people were employed by the federal government of the United States. However, the federal government is far from limited just to Washington D.C. Federal workers are dispersed throughout the nation, albeit unevenly. In turn, large layoffs – whether voluntary or involuntary – may have different consequences for different… read more…

February 20, 2025A $100,000 salary may sound like a comfortable income but how far it goes varies largely depending on where you live. Earning $100,000 places an individual tax filer at the upper limit of the 22% federal tax bracket. On top of that, FICA taxes for Social Security and Medicare apply, and depending on where you… read more…

February 13, 2025Life insurance policies play a significant role in providing financial security for beneficiaries. Over $202 billion dollars is paid out over the course of a year in the United States, according to estimates from the American Council of Life Insurers. But the extent of these payouts and the prevalence of policies vary greatly depending on… read more…

February 12, 2025Newly adjusted figures reveal the average total household debt stands at approximately $147,919 nationwide. However, debt levels vary significantly across the United States, with notable disparities at both the geographical and generational level. These differences can highlight how certain areas grapple with higher debts, while others may have higher flows of disposable income. Additionally, the… read more…