Editorial · Updated weekly
Stories from the data
In-depth, source-cited analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates — covering income, housing, demographics, education, and the methodology behind the numbers.
- Articles
- 63
- Categories
- 10
- Source
- ACS5
Browse by category
Cost of Living
How housing, transportation, and everyday costs vary across U.S. ZIP codes, cities and states — grounded in Census ACS5 data.
Economics
Local economies, industry mix, labor force participation, and the structural forces shaping U.S. metro areas.
Housing
Median home values, gross rent, vacancy, ownership and price-to-rent across America.
Population Trends
Where Americans are moving, age structure, household composition and demographic shifts in the ACS5 era.
Retirement
Where to retire in America: cost of living for older adults, age structure, healthcare access and tax climate by state.
Family Living
Schools, family income, child population, commute and housing for families with kids — by ZIP and by state.
Relocation
Practical, data-driven moving guides. How to compare any two places using free Census data before you commit.
Income & Jobs
Household income, wages, occupation mix and unemployment across U.S. ZIPs, cities and states.
State Rankings
Data-driven rankings of U.S. states across cost of living, income, education, housing affordability and growth.
ZIP Code Guides
Deep dives into the most-searched U.S. ZIP codes — what the data says about who lives there and what life costs.
All articles
63 results
ZIP Code Guides · 9 min
Build Your Own ZIP Code Data Dashboard (With Free, Public Data)
You don't need a paid data subscription to build a working ZIP code dashboard. Here's how to pull the same Census tables we use, and structure them into something you can actually query.
Economics · 8 min
Which U.S. Cities Have the Strongest Economies? Here's How to Actually Tell
A 'strong economy' isn't one number — it's income growth, job diversity, and population trend read together. Here's a transparent way to compare city economies without a black-box ranking.
Relocation · 9 min
The Complete Relocation Planning Checklist (Data-First, Not Overwhelming)
Most relocation checklists are logistics-only — change your address, forward your mail. This one starts with the data decisions that should happen before any of that.
Relocation · 8 min
How to Measure Quality of Life When Relocating (With Actual Data, Not Vibes)
Quality of life sounds subjective, but a lot of it is measurable — commute time, housing cost burden, and age structure all show up in public data. Here's how to build your own quality-of-life read.
Family Living · 8 min
Compare Schools Before You Move (Here's Where the Real Data Lives)
School ratings aren't a Census product any more than crime data is — but the federal government does publish real school directory and demographic data for free. Here's where to find it.
Relocation · 7 min
Safest Cities and ZIP Codes in America: How to Actually Check (Since We Don't Publish Crime Data)
City Zip Compare is built entirely on Census data, and the Census doesn't publish crime statistics — the FBI does. Here's exactly where to look, and how to read crime data responsibly.
Housing · 8 min
Home Value Comparison Across U.S. Cities: What the Gaps Actually Mean
A $200,000 gap in median home value between two cities isn't automatically meaningful — it depends entirely on local income. Here's how to compare home values the right way.
Population Trends · 8 min
The Fastest-Growing Cities in America Right Now
City-level population growth tells a different story than state-level growth — some of the fastest-growing cities sit inside otherwise slow-growing states. Here's what the Census data shows.
Economics · 9 min
How to Analyze Local Economic Data (Without an Economics Degree)
Local economic health isn't one number — it's a handful of public indicators read together. Here's a practical framework for analyzing any city or county's economy using free data.
State Rankings · 8 min
Comparing Counties: Taxes, Population, and Growth
County government controls property tax rates, school funding, and a lot of local infrastructure — yet most comparisons skip straight from state to city. Here's how to compare counties directly.
Cost of Living · 9 min
The Best Places to Live in the U.S., Based on Cost of Living
'Best places to live' lists are usually a blend of opinion and vibes. Here's a version built entirely from income-to-housing-cost data, so you can see exactly why each place made the list.
Relocation · 8 min
The Side-by-Side City Comparison Guide: How to Actually Decide Between Two Places
Choosing between two cities usually comes down to a handful of numbers, read in the right order. Here's a practical, step-by-step guide to comparing any two U.S. cities.