Methodology
Learn about URCity's data sources, calculation methods, and quality standards.
Data Sources
We use only official, verified data sources from government agencies and reputable research organizations.
United States
- C2ER — Cost of Living Index
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey
- Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities
- Zillow Research — Home values, rents, price per sq ft
- HUD — Fair Market Rents
- US Census Bureau — Population, income, education
- NOAA — Climate normals
- Tax Foundation — State and local tax rates
- EIA — Natural gas prices and electricity costs
- FCC — Broadband availability
United Kingdom
- Office for National Statistics — Cost of living, earnings
- Rightmove — Home values and rental prices
- HMRC — Tax rates
- Met Office — Climate data
- Ofcom — Broadband availability
- Ofgem — Gas and electricity price caps
- Water UK — Water utility costs
Canada
- Statistics Canada — Cost of living, income, demographics
- CREA — Home values and sales data
- CMHC — Rental market data
- Environment Canada — Climate data
- Canada Revenue Agency — Tax rates
- ISED — Broadband data
- Canada Energy Regulator — Natural gas and electricity prices
Cost of Living Index
Our cost of living indices are based on the C2ER methodology. The national average is set to 100. A score of 120 means the city is 20% more expensive than average.
Heating Cost Estimation
Heating costs are calculated using a physics-based model that accounts for local climate, home characteristics, and regional fuel prices.
Monthly Cost = (Monthly HDD × 0.6 therms/HDD) × Local Gas Price ($/therm)Heating Degree Days (HDD)
Derived from each city's summer high and winter low temperatures using a sinusoidal model. HDD measures how much and for how long the outside temperature falls below 65°F (the standard heating base).
Home Characteristics
Assumes a typical 1,500 sq ft home with an 80% AFUE gas furnace, consuming approximately 0.6 therms per HDD.
Local Fuel Prices
State/province-level natural gas prices from official sources:
- US: EIA state-level prices (e.g., Texas: $0.95/therm, New York: $1.40/therm)
- UK: Ofgem price cap (~£1.90/therm)
- Canada: Provincial utility rates (e.g., Ontario: C$1.10/therm)
Example Estimates
Remote Work Score
Our Remote Work Score (0–100) combines five weighted factors to measure how well a city supports remote work.
Home Ownership Calculator
Our True Cost of Home Ownership calculator uses standard amortization formulas plus local cost factors.
Currency & Temperature Conversion
All monetary values and temperatures on city pages can be converted on-the-fly.
Currency
Live exchange rates.
Temperature
Instant °F/°C conversion on all climate data across the site.
Auto-Detection
Uses browser timezone and language settings to pre-select appropriate defaults.
Data Freshness
| Data Type | Update Frequency | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | Quarterly | June 2026 |
| Housing | Monthly | May 2026 |
| Demographics | Annual | 2024 ACS |
| Climate | Historical | 1991–2020 normals |
| Taxes | Annual | 2026 |
| Exchange Rates | Live (API) | Real-time |
| Heating Estimates | Per refresh | June 2026 |
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.
Heating estimates are based on typical home characteristics and may vary.
Exchange rates are provided by a third-party API and may have slight delays.
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 about our methodology or data sources? Contact us →