economics

Spot a surplus of pumps in one small area? You're seeing Hotelling's Law in action.

A mass of shipping containers at the port of Shenzen, China.

Tariffs are a means for one country to wrangle better trade terms with another country and to protect domestic manufacturing. Unfortunately, they don’t always deliver.

New York, California, and Texas come out on top.

In some cases, traveling is a good investment.

Planning a trip to Argentina, Iceland, or Japan in 2025? It may be more affordable than you think.

Returns can be a costly proposition for retailers.

The fate of your unwanted air fryer, explained.

Buying a home in these states might prove to be a long-term win.

Two states are expected, but the other might surprise you.

From wood patternmakers to pediatric surgeons, these 10 jobs are quite uncommon.

Not every state has a high median income.

Where you live definitely affects how much you can potentially make, as certain states have higher average incomes than others.

Netflix has increased subscriber fees. So has virtually everyone else.

Rising production costs have led streamers to increase fees across the board.

Once a beacon for cost-conscious consumers, McDonald’s has doubled their prices since 2014.

Teacher salaries can vary widely by state.

Where you teach can make a huge difference in how much you earn.

Money is the main reason so many Millennials are moving back home. But it isn't the only one.

Some states try to look out for workers. Others actually set minimums below the federal rate.

The spinning jenny was basically the spinning wheel 2.0.

Here's the story of why the spinning jenny was invented and how the spinning mule usurped it.

A hot San Francisco neighborhood tops the list.

California and Florida dominate the list of America's priciest neighborhoods.

In an era of rampant price increases, the cost of Costco's meal combo hasn't changed in nearly 40 years.

Egg-flation is real, and it might be a minute before it gets better.

We'll all miss those five missing chips.

Thanks to rising inflation costs, there are now five fewer chips in a bag of Doritos than there used to be.

From surgical equipment to gasoline, this map shows the top import and export in each country around the world.

In part because Dollar Tree stock prices have plummeted recently, the stores are pivoting to a “sometimes-more-than-a-dollar” business plan.

Why are used cars so expensive right now? A classic case of low supply, high demand—and it’s affecting the Mountain States the worst.

The reason your refrigerator light doesn’t have a friend in the freezer comes down to cost-benefit analysis.

More than 15 percent of North Dakota's hard-working population lives in Fargo.

According to a new survey, the very middle of America is chock-full of workaholics, from North Dakota to Texas.

Printing its own wooden currency is a way for Tenino, Washington, to support residents while keeping cash within its local economy.

Why Are Gas Stations So Close to One Another?

How Do Tariffs Work?

The 10 Best States to Move to for a Fresh Start

12 Countries Where the U.S. Dollar Is Strong in 2025

Where Do Online Orders Go When You Return Them?

The 3 Best States to Buy a Home in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Experts

The 10 Least Common Jobs in the U.S.

The 15 States Where Workers Earn the Most Money

Here's How Much Netflix, Prime, and Other Streaming Services Have Increased in Price Since 2023

Very Unhappy Meals: The 10 Fast Food Chains Where Prices Have Skyrocketed

Here's How Much the Average Teacher Earns in Each State

Millions of Millennials Are Moving Back Home With Their Parents—Here's Why

The 12 States That Pay the Highest Minimum Wage

How the Spinning Jenny Transformed Textiles and Led to Industrial Sabotage

The 20 Most Expensive U.S. Neighborhoods, Based on Square Footage

The Enduring Enigma of Costco’s $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

Shellshock: Eggs Are Expensive Right Now—Here’s Why

'Shrinkflation' Has Come for Your Doritos

Each Country’s Top Import and Export, Mapped

Dollar Tree Will Start Selling Some Products for More Than $1

Looking to Buy a Used Car? These Are the 20 States Where You’ll Pay the Most Money

Why Is There a Light in Your Refrigerator, But Not in the Freezer?

The 25 Hardest-Working States in America

Tenino, Washington, Is Loaning Residents Wooden Money to Boost Its Economy