Our Methodology
WhereAtHome rankings are built on transparent, publicly available data. We believe defensible methodology creates trustworthy insights.
Our Philosophy
Unlike many "best places" lists that rely on subjective assessments or proprietary algorithms, WhereAtHome uses only publicly available data from trusted government and research sources. Every number on our site can be verified, and every ranking can be understood.
We believe that where you choose to live is one of life's most important decisions. That decision deserves clear, honest data—not marketing spin or hidden agendas.
The WhereAtHome Score
Each city receives a composite score from 0-100 based on weighted factors. The weights reflect priorities that matter to most people considering relocation:
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Affordability | 20% | Median home value relative to national average |
| Income vs Housing | 20% | How affordable housing is relative to local incomes |
| Commute Time | 15% | Average commute time compared to national average |
| Crime | 20% | Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics |
| Walkability | 15% | Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot |
| Purchasing Power | 10% | Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living |
Note on School Quality
School ratings are displayed on city profiles but are not included in the composite score. This prevents unfairly penalizing cities that may be excellent for singles, couples without children, or retirees. If schools are critical to your decision, we encourage reviewing that metric separately.
How Individual Scores Are Calculated
Housing Affordability (40%)
We combine two metrics to assess housing affordability:
- Absolute Affordability (20%): How the city's median home value compares to the national median ($418,500 as of Q1 2026). Lower values score higher.
- Income-to-Housing Ratio (20%): Local median household income divided by local median home value, compared to the national ratio. Higher ratios (more affordable relative to local income) score higher.
Crime (20%)
We use FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data to categorize cities into six tiers: Very Low, Low, Moderate-Low, Moderate, Moderate-High, and High. Each tier corresponds to a score range. "Very Low" crime cities receive scores near 95, while "High" crime cities receive scores near 20.
Commute Time (15%)
Average commute time from the American Community Survey is compared to the national average (27.6 minutes). Cities with shorter commutes score higher. Each minute below average adds approximately 3 points to the base score of 50.
Walkability (15%)
Walk Score is used directly as a 0-100 metric. Cities with higher walkability—meaning more errands can be accomplished on foot—score higher in this category.
Purchasing Power (10%)
Based on median household income relative to the national average, adjusted for cost of living where available. Cities where residents keep more of what they earn score higher.
Data Sources
All data comes from publicly accessible, widely cited sources. We explicitly label the source and data year for each metric on city profiles.
U.S. Census Bureau
Population, household income, commute times, and demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS).
Metrics
Update Frequency
Annual (ACS release)
Zillow
Home values from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), which represents typical home values across regions.
Metrics
Update Frequency
Monthly
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting
Crime statistics collected from law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Metrics
Update Frequency
Annual
Walk Score
Walkability scores measuring pedestrian friendliness based on proximity to amenities.
Metrics
Update Frequency
Continuous
Niche
School grades and ratings based on test scores, college readiness, and parent reviews.
Metrics
Update Frequency
Annual
BestPlaces
Cost of living indices comparing expenses relative to the national average.
Metrics
Update Frequency
Quarterly
Data Currency and Updates
We are committed to using the most recent data available from each source. Here's our current data vintage:
- Home Values: 2026 (updated quarterly from Zillow)
- Population & Income: Latest ACS estimates (typically 2024 or 2025)
- Commute Times: Latest ACS estimates (typically 2024 or 2025)
- Crime Rates: Latest FBI UCR release (typically 2025)
- Walk Scores: Current (continuously updated)
- School Ratings: 2026 (updated annually)
Census data inherently lags by design (the ACS is released approximately one year after data collection). We clearly label data years on every metric to maintain transparency.
Limitations and Considerations
No ranking system is perfect. Here are important limitations to understand:
- Aggregation hides variation: City-wide statistics may not reflect specific neighborhoods. Housing costs, safety, and schools can vary dramatically within a single city.
- Personal priorities vary: Our weights reflect common priorities, but your personal situation may differ. Someone prioritizing schools would weight that factor differently than our system does.
- Qualitative factors not captured: Things like culture, climate preferences, proximity to family, and personal connections can't be quantified but matter enormously.
- Data lag: Some metrics (especially Census data) may not reflect very recent changes in a city's trajectory.
We encourage users to view WhereAtHome scores as a starting point for research, not a final verdict. Visit cities, talk to residents, and consider your unique situation.
Questions About Our Methodology?
We believe in transparency and welcome questions about our data and methods. If you believe we've made an error or have suggestions for improvement, please reach out. Accuracy matters more than ego.