The U.S. Census recommends Americans spend no more than 30% of their income on housing costs per month. Still, an estimated 19 million U.S. households spend over 50% of their income on housing. As the United States continues to recover from the housing crisis and recession, housing costs, including home prices and rent, are rising […]

The cost of driving a car in one state compared to another can differ by more than $2,000 a year. In states where accidents are prevalent, insurance rates are often higher. In western states, gas prices tend to be higher. And in states with bad road conditions, vehicles require more frequent repairs. All these factors […]

States compete to attract new businesses, which can generate jobs and contribute to economic growth. While every state levies some form of taxes on businesses, some states are more tax-friendly than others. In addition to other factors, such as the strength of the labor force, a state’s tax code is an important consideration for businesses […]

The price of gas, a necessity for most Americans, tends to be somewhat unpredictable. The common, often erratic, fluctuations are due to basic supply and demand factors, but the price of gas also changes with the seasons, after natural disasters, and due to other events in the United States or around the world. The average […]

Because sales tax is regressive — disproportionately affecting poorer residents — the decision to raise or lower the sales tax rate is often accompanied by intense debate. Still, last year, hundreds of cities and several states raised sales tax rates, although many others lowered rates as well. Sales taxes are levied by both state and […]

The federal government has some $51.4 billion in its coffers, primarily set aside for road construction and repair. These funds are raised from a federally imposed 18.4 cent tax on every gallon of gas purchased on American soil. On top of the federal tax, each state collects its own tax on every gallon of gas […]

Comparing the quality of governance between states can be challenging. The decisions state governors, legislators, city mayors and other elected officials make can have wide-reaching effects on state residents, and these decisions can sometimes take years to have an impact. Aware of these inherent challenges, 24/7 Wall St. has for seven straight years reviewed the […]

Four states and the District of Columbia have voted since 2012 to legalize the retail sale of marijuana. One main incentive of legalization is the tax revenue states receive from marijuana sales. The first two states to legalize marijuana — Colorado and Washington — began sales in 2014. After a slow start, tax revenues now […]

After housing, transportation is the average American’s second largest yearly expense. Gasoline, insurance, and car repairs cost the average driver more than $3,000 annually. A number of factors, such as gas prices and road infrastructure, determine the cost of owning and operating a car. These factors vary widely from state to state. To identify the […]