Methodology

Every metric on CompareLiving.us comes from a named government data source. This page documents each source, what it measures, how we use it, and its known limitations.

Coverage

CompareLiving.us covers 1,857 US incorporated places (cities, towns, and census-designated places) with populations of 25,000 or more according to the most recent Census estimates. Smaller places are excluded because sample sizes in Census ACS surveys become unreliable below this threshold.

US Census Bureau — American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates

Updated January 1, 2024

Metrics:

Median household income
Median gross rent
Median home value
Population
Median age

The ACS is a continuous survey by the US Census Bureau. We use 5-year estimates, which pool five years of data to provide reliable figures for smaller geographies. 5-year estimates are the most reliable ACS product but lag the current year by 2–3 years.

Limitations: 5-year estimates smooth out single-year volatility. Cities with rapidly changing rents or incomes may lag market conditions.

Official source: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs

Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities (RPP)

Updated January 1, 2024

Metrics:

Cost of Living Index
Goods sub-index
Rents sub-index
Services sub-index

The BEA Regional Price Parity measures the price level of goods, rents, and services in each geographic area relative to the US average (set at 100). An RPP of 90 means prices are 10% below the US average; 110 means 10% above. BEA publishes RPP at the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) level, not at the city level.

Limitations: RPP is available at the MSA level. Cities within the same metro share the same RPP value. A city-level RPP does not exist in the BEA dataset.

Official source: https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area

Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS)

Updated May 1, 2024

Metrics:

Median annual wages by occupation (Software Developer, Registered Nurse, Teacher, Electrician, Accountant)

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates for over 800 occupations. We report median annual wages for 5 benchmark occupations at the MSA level.

Limitations: OEWS wages are MSA-level. Cities within the same metro share the same occupational wage data.

Official source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/

HUD — Fair Market Rents (FMR)

Updated October 1, 2024

Metrics:

Studio FMR
1-bedroom FMR
2-bedroom FMR
3-bedroom FMR

HUD Fair Market Rents represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality units. They are used to determine eligibility for housing vouchers. FMRs are published annually for HUD-defined metro areas and non-metro counties.

Limitations: FMRs are area-level, not city-level. They represent the 40th percentile — lower than median market-rate rents in high-demand areas.

Official source: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html

EPA AirNow — Air Quality Index

Updated December 1, 2024

Metrics:

Average AQI

The Air Quality Index (AQI) runs from 0 to 500. Values 0–50 are Good; 51–100 Moderate; 101–150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups; 151–200 Unhealthy. We display annual averages derived from EPA monitoring station data.

Limitations: AQI averages smooth seasonal variation and wildfire events. A single bad-air season can shift a city's annual average significantly.

Official source: https://www.airnow.gov/

Tax Foundation — State Tax Rates

Updated January 1, 2024

Metrics:

State income tax top marginal rate
State sales tax rate

State income tax rates are the top marginal rate on ordinary income for individuals. State sales tax is the statewide base rate; local add-ons are not included. Source: Tax Foundation 2024 State Tax Rates.

Limitations: Income tax rates are the top marginal rate, not the effective rate. Effective rates vary substantially by income level. Sales tax figures exclude local additions.

Official source: https://taxfoundation.org/

How We Display "N/A"

When a metric is unavailable for a city — because the city does not appear in a particular dataset, or because sample sizes are too small — we display "N/A" rather than estimating or interpolating. Entire sections (e.g., Air Quality, Wages) are hidden when no data exists for that city.

Questions or Corrections

If you spot incorrect data, a broken link to a source, or a methodology error, please contact us.