Frequently asked questions.
Everything you need to know about MyAreaData.
What cities are covered?
MyAreaData covers 4,000+ US cities and towns with population data from the US Census Bureau. We focus on cities with meaningful data coverage — generally those with Census ACS estimates available.
Where does the data come from?
Most data comes from free US government sources: the Census Bureau (ACS and population estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA Air Quality System, NOAA (storm events and weather stations), FEMA National Risk Index, USGS, CMS (hospitals), BEA (regional price levels), the CDC (PLACES health estimates), the National Center for Education Statistics, the Dept. of Education College Scorecard and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (public libraries). Home value trends come from Zillow Research, monthly climate averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, and hospital campus details from OpenStreetMap. We do not use paid data sources.
How current is the data?
Most data reflects the latest available government release. Census ACS data is typically 1–2 years behind the current year. Crime data from the FBI is usually 1–2 years delayed. Climate figures are 30-year averages (1991–2020). Pages note when a figure is older or covers a wider area than the city.
Is MyAreaData free to use?
Yes — completely free. We are funded by display advertising and affiliate links. No account or subscription required.
How do you calculate rankings like "Safest Cities" or "Most Affordable"?
Rankings are calculated purely from the underlying government data — no editorial judgment or paid placement. For example, "safest" badges use each city's violent crime rate from FBI data — only cities whose own police department reported recent data, not county-wide or older figures. Numbers that cover a whole county or metro area never earn a ranking badge.
How do I compare two cities?
Use the Compare Cities tool in the navigation bar. Search for any two US cities and see them side by side across cost of living, crime, jobs, climate, schools, and more.
Can I use this data in my own project?
Government data is generally public domain; Zillow and OpenStreetMap data carry their own terms (OpenStreetMap data is © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). Our presentation, rankings, and narratives are original work. If you want to use our data, please reach out via the Contact page.
Why is data missing for some cities?
Smaller cities often have limited coverage in government datasets. The Census Bureau suppresses data for very small populations to protect privacy. Some police departments don't report complete data to the FBI, and some counties have no EPA air monitor — pages say when that's the case.
How often is the site updated?
Each source updates on its own schedule — home values monthly, hospitals quarterly, most government data once a year (unemployment in spring, crime in fall, Census data in December). We refresh as new releases come out.
I found incorrect data. How do I report it?
Please use the Contact page to report errors. Include the city name, the data field, and what you believe the correct value should be. We review all reports.