Blog
Insights, analysis, and stories about the best places to live.
How We Rank the Best Beach Towns in America
A look behind the data that powers our beach town rankings — from coastal access scores to affordability metrics.
Mar 1, 2026Mountain Town Rankings: What Changed for Winter 2026
Our winter refresh of the mountain towns rankings brought several surprises. Here's what moved and why.
Feb 15, 2026Why Everyone's Moving to Beach Towns in 2026
Remote work has untethered millions from city offices. Here's why beach towns are the biggest beneficiaries of the migration — and the data to prove it.
Mar 10, 2026Mountain Towns vs. Beach Towns: Which Lifestyle Is Right for You?
Mountains or coast? We break down cost of living, activities, weather, and community feel to help you decide.
Mar 7, 2026The 5 Most Underrated Small Towns in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is packed with charming small towns that fly under the radar. Here are five that deserve your attention — and maybe your zip code.
Feb 28, 2026What Makes a Great Retirement Town? Our Scoring Methodology Explained
Retiring to a small town is a big decision. Here's exactly how we evaluate and rank the best towns for retirees.
Feb 20, 2026Best Small Towns Within an Hour of New York City
You don't have to live in the city to work in the city. These small towns offer big quality of life within commuting distance of Manhattan.
Mar 3, 2026Lake Town Living: The Affordable Alternative to Beach Life
Love the water but not the price tag? Lake towns offer a similar lifestyle at a fraction of the cost — with a few key differences.
Feb 25, 2026How We Rank: Inside ZACSUM's Data-Driven Approach
Our rankings aren't opinions — they're built on a scoring engine that processes dozens of data points per town. Here's how it works under the hood.
Mar 12, 2026The Rise of the Four-Season Small Town
Forget summer towns and ski towns. The hottest trend in small-town living is the place that's great all year long.
Feb 10, 2026