1001 counties analyzed

County Rankings & Lists

Explore U.S. counties ranked by economic growth, housing affordability, investment potential, and more. Every ranking is data-driven — built from GDP, population, income, home prices, and rental yields.

Featured

Full County Rankings

The complete Boom Town Index — all 1001 scored counties in one sortable table. Filter by state, sort by any metric.
1001
counties ranked
Momentum

Short-Term Momentum Rankings

All 1001 counties ranked by projected 1-year home value growth. A momentum-weighted model showing where prices are accelerating right now.
1yr
momentum model
Themed Rankings
Top 50

Most Affordable Counties in America

Counties where housing is most affordable relative to local incomes.
1. Apache County 85 · 2. McKinley County 4 · 3. Vermilion County 11
Top 50

Fastest Growing Counties in America

Counties experiencing the fastest population growth, signaling strong migration inflows and economic opportunity.
1. Kaufman County 27 · 2. Rockwall County 4 · 3. Liberty County 23
Top 50

Most Undervalued Housing Markets

Counties where home prices are lowest relative to local economic output (GDP per capita).
1. St. Louis city 76 · 2. Potter County 89 · 3. Sangamon County 51
Top 50

Best Counties for Real Estate Investment

Counties combining strong BTI scores with favorable price-to-rent ratios — where long-term growth potential meets rental cash flow.
1. Taylor County 98 · 2. Oswego County 98 · 3. Grant County 100
Top 0

Counties with Highest GDP Growth

Counties leading the nation in real GDP growth — the economic engines powering local job creation and wage increases.
Top 50

Best Climate & Terrain

Counties with the best climate and terrain based on the USDA Natural Amenities Scale — measuring temperature mildness, sunshine, low humidity, topographic variation, and water area.
1. Ventura County 8 · 2. Humboldt County 1 · 3. Santa Barbara County 5
Top 50

Best Counties for Rental Yield

Counties where home prices are lowest relative to rental income — the best markets for cash-flow positive rental properties.
1. Robeson County 14 · 2. Orangeburg County 6 · 3. McKinley County 4
Top 50

Lowest BTI Scores

The 50 lowest-scoring counties on the Boom Town Index — typically where housing costs have outpaced local economic fundamentals, quality of life, or job growth.
1. Williamson County 0 · 2. Webb County 0 · 3. Broomfield County 0
Top 50

Most Overvalued Housing Markets

Counties where home prices are highest relative to local economic output (GDP per capita).
1. San Benito County 84 · 2. Island County 34 · 3. Kings County 80
Top 50

Biggest Capital Investments by County

Counties attracting the largest capital investments — data centers, manufacturing plants, energy projects, and infrastructure.
1. Doña Ana County 95 · 2. Virginia Beach city 68 · 3. Platte County 60
Top 50

Best Counties for Families

The best counties to raise a family — combining economic growth, low crime, and enough population for good schools and healthcare.
1. Newton County 100 · 2. Martin County 99 · 3. Sevier County 99
Top 50

Best Air Quality (Large Counties)

Among counties with populations over 100,000, these have the cleanest air based on EPA monitoring data.
1. Columbiana County 42 · 2. Mohave County 92 · 3. Maui County 62
Top 50

Worst Air Quality (Large Counties)

Among counties with populations over 100,000, these have the worst air quality based on EPA monitoring data.
1. Maricopa County 53 · 2. Riverside County 65 · 3. San Bernardino County 78
Top 50

Safest Boom Towns in America

The best of both worlds: counties with strong Boom Town Index scores AND low crime.
1. Newton County 100 · 2. Martin County 99 · 3. Sevier County 99
Top 50

Safest Counties in America (Large Counties)

Among counties with populations over 100,000, these have the lowest homicide rates based on CDC vital statistics (2020–2022 average).
1. Saratoga County 61 · 2. Morris County 30 · 3. Rockingham County 60
Top 50

Most Dangerous Counties (Large Counties)

Among counties with populations over 100,000, these have the highest homicide rates based on CDC vital statistics (2020–2022 average).
1. St. Louis city 76 · 2. Baltimore city 2 · 3. Hinds County 85
State-Level Rankings
All 50 States

Most Expensive States to Live In

All states ranked by median home value, from most to least expensive.
1. Hawaii · 2. District of Columbia · 3. California
All 50 States

Cheapest States to Buy a House

The cheapest states to buy a house, ranked by median home value.
1. West Virginia · 2. Ohio · 3. Illinois
All 50 States

Fastest Growing States in America

States ranked by population growth, GDP, and economic momentum.
1. Florida · 2. Utah · 3. Idaho
All 50 States

Best States to Buy a Home

States ranked by true affordability — home price + property taxes vs. income.
1. West Virginia · 2. Alabama · 3. Arkansas
Rankings by State
Alaska 4 Alabama 27 Arkansas 13 Arizona 11 California 43 Colorado 15 District of Columbia 1 Delaware 3 Florida 41 Georgia 41 Hawaii 4 Iowa 11 Idaho 8 Illinois 28 Indiana 28 Kansas 10 Kentucky 19 Louisiana 21 Massachusetts 12 Maryland 18 Maine 9 Michigan 36 Minnesota 18 Missouri 22 Mississippi 15 Montana 6 North Carolina 51 North Dakota 4 Nebraska 5 New Hampshire 8 New Jersey 21 New Mexico 11 Nevada 6 New York 45 Ohio 49 Oklahoma 15 Oregon 18 Pennsylvania 44 Rhode Island 5 South Carolina 24 South Dakota 3 Tennessee 32 Texas 72 Utah 9 Virginia 37 Vermont 5 Washington 21 Wisconsin 29 West Virginia 11 Wyoming 2