Recent Research

College students taking a test in a classroom.
May 9, 2025 by Jack Caporal

Financial Literacy Statistics: The Average American Scores Just 48%

Scores have stayed around 50% for nearly 10 years. Read on for a deep dive into financial literacy data.
A family walks through a forest, enjoying the fall foliage.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The 10 Most Affordable Cities With High Salaries and Low Cost of Living in the Midwest

Many Midwestern cities have a low cost of living. Discover the 10 most affordable places to live in the Midwest U.S.
A happy family walking through a park with the young kids on the parents' shoulders.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The 10 Most Affordable Cities With High Salaries and Low Cost of Living in the Northeast

The Northeastern United States has high salaries and costs of living. Check out the 10 most affordable places to live in the Northeast U.S.
Two builders review blueprints inside an in-process new build home.
April 25, 2025 by Jack Caporal

Tariffs Are Already Raising Home Prices -- Here's How Much and Why

Tariffs on homebuilding materials could add thousands to the cost of a new home. Here's how tariffs may impact buyers, builders, and mortgage rates.
Newly married couple holding hands and walking out of a church.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The Average Cost of a Wedding

The average cost of a wedding is $33,000. Read on for a wedding budget breakdown.
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Updated by Jack Caporal

Average Tax Refund: When Will I Get My Tax Refund?

The average tax refund is $3,221 as of March 21, 2025. Read on for a deep dive into tax refunds in 2025.
Gas pump fueling blue car.
Updated by Jack Caporal

How Much Do Americans Spend on Gas Every Month?

Americans spent $2,449 on gas in 2023, roughly 3% of their budget. That's down from $2,805 in 2022. Read on for state-level data and tips for how to save.
Two feet on diverging arrows, buy vs rent.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Renting vs. Buying a Home: Comparing the Costs

Many renters are considering becoming first-time home buyers. How much more expensive is it to own a home than it is to rent? We ran the numbers to find out.
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Updated by Jack Caporal

Average Closing Costs on a House

What are the average closing costs on a house? What's included in closing costs? We have state-by-state figures to give you the best data.
Man with tool belt climbing ladder to roof.
March 3, 2025 by Jack Caporal

Survey: The Hidden Costs of Homeownership

Over a third of homeowners run into unexpected costs after closing on their new home -- find out what they are and how much they cost.
A woman holding her hands up in a square and looking through them at a house on a sunny street.
Feb. 25, 2025 by Jack Caporal

Survey: The Most Common Home-Buying Regrets

A quarter of home owners surveyed by Motley Fool Money have some type of buyer's remorse. Read on to find out the most common home-buying regrets.
A small wooden house with couple blurred in background.
Updated by Jack Caporal

What Is the Average Down Payment on a House?

The median down payment on a house is 15% of its value. Want more down payment statistics? We have them right here.
Parents giving credit card to excited teen daughter.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: Generational Credit Card Habits

The Motley Fool Motley Fool Money surveyed 2,000 Americans on their credit card habits and found some generational differences. Find out if they apply to you.
A young woman shops on her laptop holding her credit card while her cat lounges in the background
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: COVID-19 Led Americans to Prioritize Spending Over Saving

Just 29% of Americans say COVID-19 led them to prioritize saving over spending. Read on to learn more.
A couple smiles as they use a contactless credit card reader in a restaurant.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: Americans Value Credit Card Rewards Over Trust

How do Generation Z, Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers use credit cards differently? We surveyed 2,000 Americans to find out.
An older adult uses a credit card to make a payment on a smartphone in their living room.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Beating Inflation: Credit Card Rewards and Points

Credit cards can mitigate inflation, particularly in hard hit categories like groceries, gas, and travel.
Couple sitting on couch after difficult conversation.
Updated by Jack Caporal

52% of Americans Say Secret Spending or Lying About Money Is Cheating

Most Americans thinks secret spending or lying about money counts as cheating in a relationship. Find out what else Americans think about financial infidelity.
Cute pupils running down the hall in school.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Record $41.5B in Back-to-School Shopping Forecasted for 2023, With 30% of Parents Using Credit Cards

Parents are expected to spend $41.5 billion on back-to-school shopping, and 30% intend to rely on credit cards. Read on to learn more.
Group of young people sitting around a tablet computer showing financial graph.
Updated by Jack Caporal

This Is How Credit Card Companies Hauled in $176 Billion in 2020

Credit card companies earned $176 billion in 2020. Here's how they did it, with specific examples from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and more.
A person sitting at a sunny dining room table and typing on a laptop.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: 26% of Americans Have Used ChatGPT for Credit Card Recommendations

Fifty-four percent of Americans surveyed by The Motley Fool Motley Fool Money have used ChatGPT to recommend a financial product. Find out more on how AI is changing personal finance.
Two people driving in a car on a sunny day while looking up directions on a smartphone.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The Average Cost of Car Insurance in All 50 States

The national average annual cost of car insurance in 2023 was $3,017. How does your payment compare? Learn the details here.
Two people digging holes to plant trees on a sunny day.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: The Most Socially Equitable Cities in the U.S.

Is your city socially equitable? Do you think your community does a good job taking care of its members? We used six factors to rank U.S. cities and find the answer.
A pair of women taking a selfie together on a city street.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The Financial Health of Same-Sex Couples and LGBTQ Americans

Same-sex couples and LGTBQ individuals face unique financial challenges. We've gathered the latest statistics to create a comprehensive picture of their financial health.
A woman sitting at a desk in a sunny loft and sketching in a notebook next to an open laptop.
Updated by Jack Caporal

How Much Time Does the Average American Spend on Personal Finance?

Americans spend more time each day doing laundry than working on their personal finances. Find out how a few more minutes a day could increase your financial security.
Woman smiling as she drives a red vehicle.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The Average Cost of Car Ownership

Estimates put the real cost of car ownership at around $12,000 per year. See a full breakdown here.