We may earn money when you click on our links. Learn more.

Your Guide on Deciding Where to Live

Deciding where to live is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you’re deciding where to move for a job offer, to be closer to family, or to immerse yourself in a community that aligns with your interests and social needs—there’s so much to consider. Our guides will help you compare cities’ costs of living, weather, and community demographics.

Home > Community > Deciding

Your Guide on Deciding Where to Live

On this page

Costs of living

Necessities like groceries, childcare, and utilities can vary wildly from city to city. Our guides walk you through the cost of living in US cities so that you can budget for your next home.

Climate and weather

Dreaming of sunny beach days? Craving winter snow sports? Or just looking for a mild year-round climate? Our guides compare weather and climate across the US.

Community demographics

Maybe you’re a first-time homeowner, a new parent, a bicyclist, a beer enthusiast, or music lover. We’ve looked at data through various lenses to help people find a place to call home.

What to do next

Once you’ve decided where to move, we’ll help with the rest. Our guides help you decide what moving services to use, which moving company to hire, and how to settle into your new home.

On this page

Costs of living

Climate and weather

Community demographics

What to do next

Discover costs of living

Cost of living is top of mind when deciding where to live. We’ll deliver stats and facts on utility costs, least and most affordable cities, and more to help you assess your financial needs.

Western portion of US map colored in different shades to indicate higher or lower monthly utility costs. California, Oregon and Texas show a darker color, indicating higher costs, compared to New Mexico and Montana, which are lighter shades indicating lower cost.

Sarah Cimarusti

11/01/2024

Utility Bills 101: Average Monthly Cost of Utilities by State and Nationally

Joe Roberts

08/05/2022

The Least and Most Affordable Big Cities for Minimum Wage Earners 2022

Joe Roberts

09/30/2021

US Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in 2021

Joe Roberts

01/25/2022

State of Moving in 2021: Moving Trends and the Lasting Effects of COVID-19

Joe Roberts

11/26/2024

The Average Cost of Food in the US

Compare climate and weather

Whether you’re looking for a sunnier place or wondering about the likelihood of a natural disaster happening in your state, we’ll give you a closer look at climate and weather trends.

Joe Roberts

03/07/2023

Top 10 Gloomiest Cities in the US

Trevor Wheelwright

01/13/2021

Move to One of Top 10 Sunniest Cities in the US

Joe Roberts

07/30/2021

The Most Dangerous States for Wildfires

Learn about community demographics

Single mingler or ready to start a family? Or maybe you’re just looking for a place with activities and cultural experiences you enjoy. Use our reports to explore communities across the US.

Trevor Wheelwright

02/01/2021

Lonely America: Where Are Folks Most Likely to Be Single, Divorced, or Dating?

Joe Roberts

01/25/2021

The Best Metros and Towns for First-Time Homeowners

U.S. map listing takeout places in each state

Kurt Manwaring

09/22/2020

Best Takeout in Your State

Best cities for beer lovers across the US

Joe Roberts

08/13/2021

The Best US Cities for Beer Lovers in 2021

Man alongside boy riding bike through a neighborhood

Joe Roberts

01/29/2021

How to Find Your Perfect Neighborhood

Map of US cities with the most bicycle commuters

Joe Roberts

07/29/2019

US Cities with the Most Bicycle Commuters per Capita

Find the right moving service

We can help. Learn more about the three basic moving services to determine which option is right for you—and which moving companies are the most reliable.

Professional move

They handle it all.

Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option.

Learn more

Containers

You load, they ship.

You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost.

Learn more

Move truck rentals

You do all the work.

Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot.

Learn more

Plan next steps

Once you’re all set on your location, we’d be happy to help with the hard parts of moving. Our guides walk you through moving services, moving companies, and settling into your new home.