- The Best Cities for New College Grads in 2017
For many, going away to college provides the chance to live a life without parental restrictions like curfews and allowances. But after those four years are up, an even bigger change lies ahead for new college grads. Unless you move back in with your parents, a life of buying your own groceries and paying rent… read more…
- The Best Cities for Motorcycle Owners – 2017 Edition
With summer fast approaching, it’s time to break out the swimsuits and sunglasses. For many, the arrival of summer also means dusting off their Harley Davidson and taking it out for a spin. If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you’ll probably have a bike no matter where you live. But we figured some American cities are… read more…
- The Best Cities for Living the American Dream in 2017
The definition of the American Dream will vary depending on who you ask. For some, it means a white picket fence, a trimmed green lawn and 2.5 children. For others, it means achieving your own personal goals and dreams, regardless of your background. Certainly the American Dream includes success and living a fulfilling life, whatever your… read more…
- The Best Cities for Working Women in Ohio
In Ohio, there are more women between the ages of 20 and 64 participating in the workforce than there are men doing so. And recently, SmartAsset found that Ohio’s capital, Columbus, is one of the best cities for women in tech. With those facts in mind, we delved into the data to find the best… read more…
- The Best Cities to Live on a $55,000 Salary
The average American household earned $55,775 in 2015. That figure is up $2,000 from 2014 and $5,000 from 2011. With that number in mind, SmartAsset set out to answer the question of where are the best cities to live on a $55,000 salary? We looked at data on cost, livability factors and more. Read on to learn what… read more…
- The Best Green Cities for Families in 2017
States across the country are going green amid growing concerns about climate change. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 40 states (and Washington, D.C.) have implemented energy codes for residential and commercial buildings. And around 15% of the energy-efficient bills considered by legislatures in 2015 were enacted, up from around 12.5%… read more…
- The Best Cities for Runners
Running is more than a way to stay in shape. Sure, it’s great exercise, but runners also run as a way to explore new places, to test their limits and even participate in races to raise money for charity. Although running is one of the more accessible sports, not all cities are equal when it… read more…
- Healthiest Cities in the United States
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing expenditures in the country. Nationwide healthcare costs reached over $10,000 per person in 2016 and that figure’s expected to grow at a 5.8% clip until 2025, according to a report in the Health Affairs journal. One way to keep those costs down is to take care of your health. Of… read more…
- The Best Cities to Sell a House
When looking to sell their house, most owners probably want to make a profit and sell the home for more than they paid for it. But the selling price isn’t the only factor to consider, there are hidden costs when it comes to selling a home. And if it takes a long time to sell… read more…
- Salary Needed to Afford Home Payments in the 15 Largest Cities
You finally have enough savings for a down payment and you’re ready to buy a house. How much will monthly house payments cost? Like with any big financial commitment, it’s important to know how much you’ll need to budget per month. It can be hard to calculate exact payments as property taxes and homeowners insurance are also factors.… read more…
- Cities Where the Retiree Homeownership Rate Is Rising the Fastest
Homeownership rates still have not fully recovered from the 2007 housing crisis, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows. For some age groups, foregoing homeownership is not a hard decision. It can offer more labor market flexibility and the chance to pursue other investments. For many retirees, however, homeownership may be an important facet of… read more…
- The Best Cities to Raise a Family
Raising a family can be tough. First of all, it’s expensive. The USDA estimates that raising a child born in 2015 would cost a family $233,000 over 18 years. It’s common nowadays for both parents to work outside of the home, meaning they need to pay for full-time child care, which can be very costly. Parents… read more…
- The Best Cities for an Affordable Wedding in 2017
Wedding costs are climbing. Between 2014 and 2015, the average cost of a wedding rose by 4.6%, according to The Knot Real Weddings Study. Nuptials now cost $32,641, on average, and one in eight couples spend more than $40,000 when tying the knot. Interestingly enough, research suggests that brides and grooms who spend more money… read more…
- The Best Cities for Foodies
Some people eat just to live. For others, colloquially known as foodies, eating is the reason to live. Foodies’ lives are enriched by the act of eating great food. Some love to cook gourmet meals, while others like to go to sit-down restaurants and have gourmet meals prepared for them. For others still it’s the ingredients that are… read more…
- The Most Affordable Beach Towns in 2017
Vacation home prices have skyrocketed in recent years, causing home sales to fall. According to a report from the National Association of Realtors, vacation home sales declined by 18.5% between 2014 and 2015. Buying a second home by the beach has become impossible for many Americans, including millennials and others who can barely afford to… read more…
- The Top 10 Boomtowns of 2016
The U.S. economy isn’t exactly booming. While the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level since 2007, the economy is still growing at a relatively slow pace. Some places, however, are better off than others. For the third year in a row, SmartAsset took a look at the places experiencing rapid population and economic… read more…
- The Most Entrepreneurial Small and Mid-Size Metros
Of all American values, entrepreneurship is one of the most revered. Many Americans dream of the day they can take out a loan, build their own business and make it on their own. Big metro areas like San Francisco and New York get most of the attention when it comes to entrepreneurship but there are… read more…
- The Best Cities for Millennials
Millennials are now the largest generation in the country, having passed Baby Boomers sometime in the past year. There are no shortage of stereotypes used to describe millennials (defined as those ages 18-34 in 2015). Millennials have been called lazy, entitled and narcissistic. But in reality, many millennials don’t have it easy. The generation faces an… read more…
- The Best Ski Towns in America – 2016 Edition
Not all ski resorts shut down when the winter season ends. Quite a few stay open throughout the year, giving tourists something to do in the summer months and nearby communities a much-needed economic boost. In fact, in the state of Colorado alone, the ski industry brings in over $4 billion per year. If you’d… read more…
- The Safest Cities in America in 2016
People choose where to live based on a variety of factors. Although safety may not the number one concern for everyone, it is certainly a factor most people consider when deciding on a place to call home. People typically think of safety in terms of crime but other factors like bad air quality or the… read more…
- The Best Cities for Conferences in 2016
Hosting a successful conference starts with choosing the right venue. But in order to decide where to hold your event, you’ll need to consider several factors. Will there be enough hotels available to accommodate your guests? Will the venue be close to local restaurants and bars? To answer these questions, SmartAsset ranked the best cities… read more…
- The Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in 2016
Some folks don’t like being stuck inside. They prefer to spend their free time participating in different outdoor activities, from cycling and backpacking to whitewater rafting. Finding a peaceful park or a quiet hiking trail can be a challenge, particularly when you live in a major metropolitan area. But in some cases you don’t have to… read more…
- The Best States for Veterans
The process of readjusting to civilian life can be difficult for many veterans. One survey from Pew Research Center found that 32% of veterans said they had a somewhat difficult time reacclimating to civilian life and 16% had a very… read more…
- The Most Livable Cities in the U.S. – 2016 Edition
City dwellers can get pretty riled up when extolling the virtues of their chosen city. Just try talking to any New Yorker. But have you ever wondered how your city compares to others in practical factors like housing costs, crime and walkability? In other words, which cities in the United States are the most livable?… read more…
- The Best Minor League Baseball Towns of 2016
Don’t sleep on minor league baseball. Even some of the worst teams in the league manage to attract thousands of fans each season. Besides being able to find super-cheap tickets, the folks who attend minor league games get to root for teams with interesting names and wacky uniforms. To honor this sport’s die-hard fans, SmartAsset ranked… read more…