Is UrbanCompare free?
Yes! You can run city comparisons for free. We may offer optional paid upgrades for deeper relocation reports in the future, but the core comparison tools will always be accessible.
What can I compare between cities?
Cost of living, rent, salaries, climate, safety, healthcare, and more. We're continuously adding metrics like schools, commute patterns, and remote-work friendliness.
Where does the data come from?
We aggregate data from trusted government sources including HUD, Census Bureau, BLS, BEA, and FBI, updated quarterly.
Can I compare international cities?
Yes! We currently support 50 international destinations popular with expats and digital nomads, with more being added regularly.
Who is Atlas?
Atlas is our AI city guide (coming soon). Atlas will read the data, listen to your preferences, and explain how each city aligns with the life you want to build.
How often is data updated?
We refresh our data regularly as new releases become available, typically quarterly for most metrics.
What does RPP (Regional Price Parity) mean?
RPP measures how expensive a metro area is compared to the national average of 100. An RPP of 105.5 means costs are 5.5% higher than average.
How is affordability calculated?
We compare your entered monthly income against typical 2-bedroom rent. Favorable means rent is under 25% of your income. Moderate means 25-35%. Challenging means rent exceeds 35%.
What do the colored dots mean?
Green dots indicate favorable conditions (lower cost, shorter commute, lower crime). Yellow dots are moderate/average. Red dots indicate challenging conditions.
Why might some data be missing?
Smaller metros or newly defined statistical areas may have incomplete federal data. We show what's available and mark missing data rather than guessing.