Lifestyle Guide
Safest Cities in California: Major Cities Ranked by Reported Crime
The safest cities in California depend heavily on what you mean by “city.” Many statewide lists are led by smaller…
Read guide →LIFESTYLE, NOT JUST RANKINGS
Explore what daily life actually asks of you
City choice becomes clearer when you separate the decision into the routines that matter: housing, culture, nature, mobility, work, family and wellbeing.
SEVEN LIFESTYLE LENSES
Build a city decision around the life you want
Each guide combines relevant index metrics with editorial questions and city recommendations.
EVERYDAY AFFORDABILITY
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Cost & Housing
Look beyond a single rent number and explore the tradeoff between housing, daily costs, income and the kind of space a city makes realistic.
Cost of LivingHousingIncome
Current data leader · Grand ForksLOCAL CHARACTER
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Food & Culture
Explore dining, arts, music, events, neighborhood energy and the social texture that makes a city feel distinct after work and on weekends.
EntertainmentWalkability
Current data leader · San JoseOUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR
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Nature & Outdoors
See how parks, trails, water, landscape, climate and air quality shape how naturally outdoor time can fit into a normal week.
Outdoor LifestyleAir QualityClimate
Current data leader · CheyenneDAILY FRICTION
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Mobility & Daily Life
Compare walking, transit, cycling and driving through the practical question that matters most: how much effort does an ordinary day require?
TransportationWalkability
Current data leader · San FranciscoWORK-LIFE FIT
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Work & Remote Life
Balance job-market depth, local income and remote-work readiness with the kind of daily life you want outside working hours.
Job MarketIncomeRemote Work
Current data leader · San DiegoPUTTING DOWN ROOTS
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Family & Community
Explore education, safety, housing and family-friendliness together, with an emphasis on stability, routines and the ability to build community.
Family FriendlyEducationSafetyHousing
Current data leader · BellevueA HEALTHIER ROUTINE
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Health & Wellbeing
Bring healthcare access, safety, air quality and outdoor life into one view of how easy it may be to maintain a healthy everyday routine.
HealthcareSafetyAir QualityOutdoor Lifestyle
Current data leader · LakewoodFROM THE JOURNAL
All articles →Read the lifestyle behind the metrics
Lifestyle Guide
Housing in California: What Buyers and Renters Should Know
Housing in California is expensive by almost any national benchmark, but a single statewide price hides the decision that actually…
Read guide →Lifestyle Guide
Cost of Living in California: What It Really Costs
The cost of living in California is high by national standards, but the statewide average can be misleading. Federal price…
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