Editorial
Guides: Where America Lives
States That Don't Tax IRA Withdrawals: The Full List
Thirteen states exempt IRA and 401(k) withdrawals from income tax entirely. If you're sitting on a seven-figure retirement account, where you live when you start drawing it down could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over a 20-year retirement.
May 28, 2026
TaxesRoth Conversion Strategy by State: Where Your Conversion Saves the Most
A Roth conversion triggers federal income tax and, in most states, state income tax too. Where you live when you convert can cost you thousands of extra dollars or save them. Here is exactly how state tax treatment changes the math.
May 27, 2026
TaxesBest States to Retire With a $1 Million Portfolio
A $1 million retirement portfolio sounds like financial security, but the state you choose can cost you $200,000 or more over a 20-year retirement. These are the states where your money actually lasts.
May 25, 2026
TaxesIRMAA by State: How Medicare Surcharges Change Your Retirement Budget
IRMAA surcharges can add up to $487 per month to your Medicare Part B premium in 2026, and your state of residence directly affects how much income triggers that hit. Where you retire determines how much of your income counts toward the federal threshold.
May 24, 2026
LifestyleMississippi and Sex Ed: Why Teen Pregnancy Rates Lag
Mississippi has one of the highest teen birth rates in the country, and its abstinence-only sex education policy is a central reason why. Research consistently shows that withholding contraceptive information does not delay sexual activity. It just leaves teens less prepared when it happens.
May 22, 2026
LifestyleStates With the Best Sex Education: A Complete Guide
Only three states require comprehensive sex education in all schools, and 13 states have no sex ed requirement at all. Where a child grows up determines what they learn, and the gaps are stark. Here is what the data shows.
May 21, 2026
LifestyleSex Education by State: Comprehensive vs Abstinence-Only
Only 3 states require comprehensive sex education in all schools. The rest leave teenagers with incomplete information, and the teen pregnancy data shows exactly what that costs. Here is where every state stands.
May 20, 2026
LifestyleAge of Consent by State: Every State's Law Explained
The age of consent ranges from 16 to 18 depending on which state you're in, and the differences matter legally. Most states set it at 16, but close-in-age exceptions, Romeo and Juliet laws, and position-of-trust rules create significant complexity. Here is every state's law, explained plainly.
May 19, 2026
LifestyleNevada vs New Jersey: The Two Gambling Capitals Compared
Nevada has no income tax and Atlantic City has a boardwalk. That sentence tells you almost everything you need to know about which state wins for gamblers who actually live there. Here is the full breakdown by taxes, cost of living, and what you keep.
May 18, 2026
LifestyleOnline Gambling by State: Where Is iGaming Legal?
Only eight states allow real-money online casino games as of May 2026. If you live outside those states, you are locked out of legal iGaming entirely, and the map is moving slower than most people expected.
May 17, 2026
LifestyleStates With No Casinos: The Full List
Only a handful of U.S. states have no casinos of any kind operating within their borders. Whether the reason is religious tradition, political opposition, or simply a lack of tribal land compacts, these states take a hard line on commercial gambling. Here is the full list and what it means for residents.
May 16, 2026
LifestyleMiami vs Nashville vs Austin: Country Music Scene Compared
Miami has no country music scene. Nashville is the capital of the genre. Austin invented its own version. If you're moving for the music, the differences couldn't be more stark.
May 16, 2026
LifestyleBest States for Gamblers: Casinos, Sports Betting, and Poker
Thirty-eight states now offer legal sports betting, but only a handful give gamblers the full package: accessible casinos, legal poker rooms, and low taxes on winnings. Where you live can cost you thousands every year at the table.
May 15, 2026
RelocationThe Best States to Retire With a Large IRA or 401(k)
A $1 million IRA withdrawal can cost you $90,000+ in state taxes depending on where you live. Nine states have no income tax at all, and several others exempt retirement income entirely. Where you retire is one of the most consequential financial decisions you will make.
May 14, 2026
RelocationMoving to Wyoming for Hunting — What You Need to Know
Wyoming residents pay $57 for an elk license. Non-residents pay $817. That gap, plus 33.8 million acres of public land and zero state income tax, is why hunters move here.
May 14, 2026
TaxesSocial Security Taxation by State: Where Your Benefits Are Tax-Free
Most Americans don't realize their state could be taxing Social Security benefits on top of federal taxes. In 2026, 41 states plus Washington D.C. leave those benefits untouched. The other 9 states could cost retirees thousands per year.
May 13, 2026
LifestyleWhich States Allow Crossbow Hunting During Archery Season?
31 states now allow crossbows during archery season for all hunters. Here is the full map — full-inclusion states, disability-permit holdouts, and which states changed laws in 2024-2026.
May 13, 2026
TaxesThe Surviving Spouse Tax Trap: How One Death Can Double Your Tax Bill
When a spouse dies, the survivor often pays higher federal taxes even on a lower income. The shift from married filing jointly to single filer compresses tax brackets and cuts the standard deduction nearly in half. Here is exactly what changes and how to reduce the damage.
May 12, 2026
LifestyleBest States for Crossbow Hunting in 2026
Crossbow hunting access varies widely by state. These 12 states offer the best combination of season access, public land, and license costs for crossbow hunters in 2026.
May 12, 2026
TaxesPennsylvania: The Best State for Retirees (With One Deadly Catch)
Pennsylvania exempts Social Security, pensions, and 401(k) distributions from state income tax, making it one of the most retirement-friendly states in the country. But when you die, Pennsylvania hits your heirs with an inheritance tax that can devour the retirement accounts you spent decades building. Here is what every retiree moving to Pennsylvania must understand before signing anything.
May 11, 2026
TaxesHow to Avoid the IRMAA Cliff: Roth Conversions and Smart Withdrawals
One dollar of extra income can cost a Medicare enrollee $838 or more in added premiums for the year. Understanding exactly how IRMAA thresholds work, and how Roth conversions interact with them, can save retirees thousands annually.
May 10, 2026
TaxesWhat Is IRMAA? The Medicare Surcharge That Blindsides Retirees
IRMAA is a Medicare surcharge that hits retirees who earned above certain income thresholds two years prior. In 2026, a single filer who made over $109,000 in 2024 pays hundreds more per month for Medicare Part B and Part D. Most retirees never see it coming.
May 9, 2026
LifestyleSports Betting by State: Where Is It Legal in 2026?
Sports betting is legal in 39 states and Washington D.C. as of May 2026, but the rules, tax rates on winnings, and online access vary wildly. Here is exactly where you can bet, where you cannot, and what the federal tax changes mean for your payout.
May 8, 2026
RelocationHow Far Does $100K Go in Each State?
A $100,000 salary means very different things depending on where you cash your paycheck. After taxes and cost of living adjustments, that same income is worth as little as $64,000 in some states and over $112,000 in others. Here is the full breakdown.
May 7, 2026