Author: Samuel Stebbins, 24/7 Wall Street

The typical American home has a price tag of nearly a quarter of a million dollars, and affordable real estate is available in nearly every state.

What a doctor makes varies by state, so where medical school graduates choose to practice can affect how long it takes to pay off student debt.

While population growth is slowing at an alarming rate nationwide, some cities are bucking the trend, reporting booming growth in recent years.

From the checkout counter to the 1040 form due every April, what Americans end up paying in taxes depends largely on where they live.

Nearly a fifth of all states reported a population decline in the last two years. In many metro areas, it has been a long-term trend.

The government generates revenue from sources like income and employment taxes and redistributes it based on need. And not all states benefit equally.

Americans are more likely to pay with a credit card than with cash than ever before, and that’s adding up to a lot of debt.

While nationwide economic growth should come as welcome news to every American, many are not benefitting at the local level.

As local industries report growing output, revenue of small businesses increases, which in turn can spur wage and employment growth.

In parts of the country with higher costs of living, $200,000 is only enough to buy a home the size of a studio apartment – or less.