Methodology

Our Methodology

URCity combines data from official government sources with proprietary calculations to give you the most accurate picture of life in any US city.

Data Sources

We use only official, verified data sources:

Cost of Living

• Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) — Cost of Living Index
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Consumer Expenditure Survey
• Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — Regional Price Parities

Housing

• Zillow Research — Home values, rents, price per square foot
• HUD Fair Market Rents — Rental affordability benchmarks
• Census Bureau American Community Survey — Housing stock data

Demographics

• US Census Bureau — Population, income, education, commuting
• IRS Statistics of Income — Migration patterns

Climate

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — Climate normals
• National Weather Service — Historical weather data

Taxes

• Tax Foundation — State and local tax rates
• Census Bureau — Property tax collections

Other

• FCC Broadband Data — Internet availability and speeds
• EPA Smart Location Database — Walkability and transit access
• FBI Uniform Crime Reporting — Crime statistics

Calculation Methods

Cost of Living Index

Our cost of living indices are based on the C2ER methodology, which compares prices across six categories:

1. Housing — Rent and home prices (weight: 30%)
2. Utilities — Electricity, gas, water, internet (weight: 10%)
3. Groceries — Food and household items (weight: 15%)
4. Transportation — Gas, public transit, car insurance (weight: 15%)
5. Healthcare — Insurance and out-of-pocket costs (weight: 10%)
6. Miscellaneous — Entertainment, clothing, personal care (weight: 20%)

The national average is set to 100. A score of 120 means the city is 20% more expensive than average.

Remote Work Score

Our Remote Work Score (0–100) combines:

• Internet Speed (25%) — Average download speed
• Coworking Spaces (20%) — Number of spaces per capita
• Cost of Living (20%) — Affordability index
• Climate (15%) — Sunny days and mild weather
• Quality of Life (20%) — Healthcare, safety, amenities

Home Ownership Calculator

Our True Cost of Home Ownership calculator uses standard amortization formulas plus:

• Property taxes (based on local rates)
• Home insurance (0.35% of home value annually)
• HOA fees (user input)
• Maintenance (1% of home value annually)

Data Freshness

Limitations

• Cost of living indices are averages and may not reflect your specific lifestyle
• Housing data is city-wide; neighborhoods can vary significantly
• Tax calculations are simplified and don’t account for all deductions
• Climate data is historical; future weather patterns may differ

Important Disclaimer

All methodology descriptions, data sources, and calculations on this page are provided for informational purposes only. URCity and Northshore Press do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any data. This content does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. Always consult qualified professionals and verify data independently before making relocation or financial decisions.

Have Questions?

Contact us at [email protected] for questions about our methodology or data sources.