Recent Research

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Updated by Jack Caporal

Personal Bankruptcy Statistics: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13

Are bankruptcies increasing or decreasing? Who files bankruptcy the most? Find the answers and more in these Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy statistics.
Consumer buying lottery ticket inside convenience store.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Lottery Statistics and Revenue by State

Americans shelled out $103 billion on state lottery tickets in 2023 and earned a prize payout of $69 billion. Does that make playing the lottery a good investment?
Children walking dog near a lighthouse.
Updated by Jack Caporal

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

The South is home to many of the most affordable cities in the country. Check out the 10 most affordable places to live in the Southern U.S.
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 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.
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 mom carrying her baby while her daughter walks next to her through the produce section of a grocery store.
Updated by Jack Caporal

SNAP Statistics and Eligibility Changes for 2023

SNAP helps over 42 million low-income households afford groceries each month -- but big changes have impacted the program. Read on to see how.
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.
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Updated by Jack Caporal

What Customers Want From Banks: Online Banking Trends and Consumer Priorities

We surveyed 2,000 consumers to find out the most important banking features: security and fraud protection, customer service, and online banking access.
Young man looking at a chart on the wall with bars that are steadily decreasing.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Credit Union vs. Retail Bank Mortgage and Interest Rates

Who has better interest rates, credit unions or banks? We looked at data from the past 10 years to find the answer.
Woman handing identification to a cop that has her pulled over.
Updated by Jack Caporal

How Your Driving Record Impacts Your Car Insurance Payment

A DUI can add over $1,000 to the annual cost of car insurance. See how your driving record changes your auto insurance payment here.
A woman looking at her finances with a laptop and phone.
Sept. 27, 2021 by Jack Caporal

Millennial Home Buyers Are Changing the Home-Buying Process: 39% of Millennials Are Comfortable Buying a Home Online

Digitally savvy millennials are changing how Americans buy homes. We report on the statistics, including digital home-buying and priorities, here.
A couple shakes a realtor's hand in front of a home for sale.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The 2021 Housing Market: 89% of Properties Sell in a Month

The 2021 housing market is red-hot. Sellers are getting an average of four offers on their homes, and the average time on the market is only 17 days. Read on for more statistics!
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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.
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.