Rankings
Every ranking below is compiled from the same U.S. Census Bureau and USGS data behind our Lists. Pick a ranking, then pick a state.
Highest towns by elevation
State-by-state, ranked by elevation where the data supports it — alphabetical where it doesn't.
Browse states →4 published Franchise · ElevationLowest towns by elevation
State-by-state, ranked by elevation where the data supports it — alphabetical where it doesn't.
Browse states →12 publishedCounty-level rankings fact-checked against the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey — no per-state drill-down, each page stands on its own.
Highest home price to income
The 17 U.S. counties where the median home costs the most years of median household income, led by Teton County, WY (Jackson Hole) at about 12 years. California holds 7 of the 17 spots; Martha's Vineyard, Marin, and Maui also rank in the top ten. Figures from the Census Bureau's 2019–2023 American Community Survey.
Read the ranking →17 counties County · affordabilityHighest rent burden
The 15 U.S. counties spending the largest share of income on rent, led by New York's Bronx County at 35.1% — 6 of the 15 are in Florida, three are New York City boroughs. Figures from the Census Bureau's 2019–2023 American Community Survey.
Read the ranking →15 counties County · affordabilityLowest rent burden
Fourteen U.S. counties among the most affordable in the nation by rent burden — renters spend roughly 11 to 12 percent of income on rent in each, and every county's household income sits at or above its state's median. Figures from the Census Bureau's 2019–2023 American Community Survey.
Read the ranking →14 countiesAbout these rankings
What we rank. Unless a page says otherwise, rankings cover incorporated municipalities — places with their own municipal government. Where the places in a state sit too close together to order meaningfully, the page lists them alphabetically instead of ranking them, and explains why. County rankings cover all 3,221 U.S. counties.
Sources. Place identification and elevation are compiled from U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Geological Survey releases and refresh as those publish. County figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.