Studies and Data Analysis

Economic and personal finance statistics, studies and data analysis from across NerdWallet.

This data hub brings together NerdWallet’s studies and unique analyses of proprietary and third party data across personal finance and economic topics. Our team of writers, experts and analysts design nationally representative surveys and robust methodologies to gain insight into household finances. These resources are available for use by traditional and online media, influencers and consumers.

In the spotlight

Published on March 12, 2024, we examined women and finances:

“A lot has changed since the 1960s and 1970s, but these decades and what came before them still impact our financial lives...Acknowledging how our financial experiences differ across gender, race and even age can help us understand what we can do in our personal lives and household budgets to improve our financial outlook as well as the role that governments, companies and institutions can play.”

- Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet personal finance expert

Our nationally-representative survey found:

  • More than 2 in 5 Americans (44%) say men have the easiest time finding a well-paying job, while just 11% think women do. However, employed women are more likely to feel optimistic about keeping their current job over the next 12 months, with 81% saying this versus 76% of employed men, according to the survey.

  • More than 1 in 4 men (27%) say their salary or pay rate increased over the last year compared with 21% of women, according to the survey.

  • Just 16% of Americans say the most financially successful person they know is a woman, compared with 37% who say it's a man, according to the survey. That includes 42% of men and 33% of women who say a man is the most successful person they know.

  • Close to 3 in 10 Americans (28%) say women are better at managing money on a daily basis than men. Just 15% say men are better at it, according to the survey.

Read the report from Elizabeth Renter and Andrew Marder here.

The latest

Recent economic commentary

Elizabeth Renter, senior writer and data analyst

"Progress on inflation has indeed slowed, but progress is not unwinding. If you’ve been watching inflation conversations over the past year, you’ve heard about the 'lags,' the 'bumpiness,' 'stickiness' and the longer 'last mile.' These words are all conveying that disinflation — what we’re in the midst of now — is rarely if ever a fast and direct path. Fast and direct would likely spell big trouble. There are far too many factors at play here, and as we’re all watching and seemingly not blinking, the little pauses and reversals in short-term trajectory are easy to get worked up over. "

Mar. 12, 2024

Elizabeth Renter is available for media interviews, discussing economic and data topics. Contact [email protected].

The latest data columns from Elizabeth Renter

Trending chart

From our most recent quarterly analysis on home affordability, which found the average number of listings in the 4th quarter of 2023 rose to a level not seen since late 2020. Read about it here.

Studies and data resources by topic

Credit cards

Money

Banking

Investing

Mortgages

Travel

Loans

Insurance

Small and medium-sized businesses

Our standards

All of our data projects go through a rigorous process before publication. During the planning stage, editors, data writers and analysts, subject matter experts and communications specialists share perspectives and ask tough questions of all potential ideas. We use data from only the most reputable sources, and our methodologies and calculations are all checked and rechecked for sound rationale and accuracy. Our data-driven work also goes through a minimum of three rounds of editing before publication.

Our nationally representative surveys are conducted in collaboration with The Harris Poll. We've been working with The Harris Poll since 2014 to field statistically sound and robust surveys weighted to be representative within age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, household income, education, employment, marital status and size of household where necessary to align with their actual proportions in the population.

Media inquiries

For questions, including requests for data or interviews with our analyst and experts, please contact [email protected].