Region guides
Moving across the U.S., by region
Every region trades off cost, climate, taxes, and risk differently. These guides compare the cities we cover in each — pick a region to start, then score any city for your own income.
By region
Moving to the South
The South is where a budget stretches furthest: low rents, warm winters, and no state income tax across much of it — Texas, Florida, and Tennessee among them. The trade-offs are summer heat and humidity, and on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, hurricane exposure and rising home-insurance costs.
Read the the South guide →Moving to the West
The West holds both the priciest coastal metros and some of the most affordable interior cities in the country, so the spread is enormous. Expect mild Pacific coasts, dry heat and wildfire-and-drought risk inland, and several states that take nothing from your paycheck — Washington and Nevada among them.
Read the the West guide →Moving to the Midwest
The Midwest is the value belt: reachable home prices, short commutes, and four real seasons with genuinely cold winters. Costs are low and steady, and the draw is affordability and space rather than the weather.
Read the the Midwest guide →Moving to the Northeast
The Northeast packs dense, walkable, transit-rich cities and deep job markets — but it's the country's most expensive region to rent and buy, with cold winters and higher taxes. You're paying for access and amenities.
Read the the Northeast guide →By sub-region
Tighter groupings that share a climate and cost character.