Our Editorial Team
The researchers and analysts behind CostOfCity's data — combining federal data expertise with local market knowledge.
Our Editorial Standards
Every cost estimate on CostOfCity is researched, calculated, and reviewed by our team. We source data exclusively from federal agencies (BLS, Census Bureau, HUD, EIA) and apply city-specific adjustments using peer-reviewed methodology. Our team reviews each data release within two weeks of publication and updates affected pages with new timestamps. We never publish cost data without source verification and confidence-level disclosure.
Meet the Team
Sarah Chen
Sarah leads CostOfCity's data research team, specializing in regional cost variation modeling and federal data analysis. With a background in urban economics from Columbia University and 8 years of experience in consumer finance research, she oversees the methodology behind our city-level cost estimates. Previously, Sarah worked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics contributing to the Consumer Expenditure Survey before transitioning to private-sector research.
Marcus Rivera
Marcus specializes in business startup cost analysis and small business economics across US metro areas. He brings practical experience from founding two small businesses in different cities, giving him first-hand insight into how location affects startup costs. His research focuses on the intersection of local regulations, labor markets, and commercial real estate pricing.
Diana Kowalski
Diana covers housing, rent, and home services cost research for CostOfCity. She combines quantitative analysis with local market knowledge gathered from a decade working with HUD Fair Market Rent data and Census Bureau housing surveys. Her work focuses on making government housing data accessible and actionable for consumers making relocation and budgeting decisions.
James Okafor
James serves as CostOfCity's editorial lead, ensuring every cost estimate meets our accuracy standards and editorial guidelines. With a background in consumer finance journalism and data-driven reporting, he bridges the gap between raw federal data and the practical financial guidance our readers need. James previously covered personal finance for regional publications across the Midwest and Southeast.
Katherine Park
Katherine leads salary and compensation research at CostOfCity, leveraging her expertise in labor economics to translate BLS occupational wage data into city-specific salary guides. Her research accounts for cost-of-living adjustments, industry concentration, and local labor market conditions that affect what professionals actually earn in different metro areas.
Our Research Process
Data Collection
We pull raw data from BLS, Census Bureau, HUD, and EIA APIs within two weeks of each release.
City-Level Modeling
Our proprietary model adjusts national data using local cost indices, regional sensitivity weights, and per-topic offsets.
Expert Review
Each city profile is reviewed by a subject-matter specialist who verifies data accuracy and adds editorial context.