ECONOMICS

The 12 States That Pay the Highest Minimum Wage

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.

How the Spinning Jenny Transformed Textiles and Led to Industrial Sabotage

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We'll all miss those five missing chips.

'Shrinkflation' Has Come for Your Doritos

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

Each Country’s Top Import and Export, Mapped

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

The 25 Hardest-Working States in America

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

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

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

Al Capone: Public Enemy #1, soup kitchen proprietor

When Al Capone Ran a Soup Kitchen During the Great Depression

During the Great Depression, 50 percent of Chicago's workforce was out of a job. Al Capone, the city's bloodthirstiest gangster, stepped in feed the hungry.

The World's 10 Most Expensive Cities

Two U.S. cities made The Economist Intelligence Unit's list of the world's most expensive cities. Can you guess which ones?

The Reasons Why Iceland Is So Expensive

More Americans than ever are taking vacations to Iceland, and many are returning home with sticker shock.

How to Give the Most Efficient Christmas Gifts, According to Economists

You're not going to like this.

Searching for a New Gig? The Cities With the Highest Job Growth in Each State, Mapped

Time to head for Lake Charles, Louisiana?

America's Fastest Growing City Might Surprise You

No, it's not in California or New York.

A European C02 Shortage Has Led to Beer Rationing in the UK—in the Middle of the World Cup

What will sports fans—and anyone who wants to host a backyard barbecue—do?

Here Are the Colleges In Each State With the Best Job Placement Rates

Spoiler: None of the Ivies made the cut.

Iowa Was Just Ranked the Best in the U.S.

Minnesota was #2.

Why Do Honeycrisp Apples Cost So Much?

We get to the core of the issue.

2017 Ig Nobel Prizes Celebrate Research on How Crocodiles Affect Gambling and Other Odd Studies

It's hard to pick a favorite from these off-the-wall studies exploring topics like whether cats can be both solid and liquid, the physics of walking backwards with coffee, and the brain activity of people who are grossed out by cheese.

This Tool Knows If Robots Are Coming for Your Job

Is your risk level "doomed" or "totally safe"?