
Author
Logan Johnson
Founder & Data Editor
Builder and data editor of the ByCounty Network. I publish county-level data sourced exclusively from federal agencies — and I am personally accountable for every methodology decision on this site.
Logan Johnson is the founder and data editor of the ByCounty Network — a family of independent data-journalism sites that publish county-level statistics from primary U.S. government sources: U.S. Census ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA, NOAA, USDA, and USASpending.gov.
His role is the data-editor role, not the subject-matter-expert role. He designs the data pipelines that pull each dataset, sets the methodology behind every composite score and ranking, spot-checks AI-generated narratives against the underlying statistics before publication, and signs off on every methodology change. He is not a CPA, physician, criminologist, real-estate broker, or other domain-credentialed professional. The site is a transparent data utility, not a professional advisory service.
When a feature genuinely requires domain expertise — a public-health analyst weighing in on CDC measure choice, a CPA reviewing a property-tax explainer — Logan recruits a named co-byline reviewer rather than fabricating credentials. The reviewer commitment for each site is documented on that site's editorial-standards page, including the recruit status when no domain reviewer is currently in place.
Outside the network, Logan has spent the last several years building data infrastructure for logistics and operations teams — work that translates directly into the pipeline discipline applied here: every statistic on the site is traceable to a primary source, every methodology decision is documented, and every page lists a "Last reviewed" date.
Coverage areas
- Census ACS housing-cost tables (B25064, B25104, B19013)
- county-level affordability indexing
- relocation and cost-of-living comparison methodology
Articles by Logan on CostByCounty
Most Affordable Counties in America (2026)
The 25 most affordable US counties ranked by median rent, with income and home value data. Find where your dollar goes furthest.
Most Expensive Counties to Live In (2026)
The 25 most expensive US counties ranked by median rent. See where housing costs are highest and what income you need to afford them.
Cost of Living Comparison: Remote Work Edition
What a $100K salary buys in expensive vs affordable counties. Data-driven comparison of high-cost metros and low-cost rural areas for remote workers.
Cheapest Places to Live in America (2026)
The 30 cheapest US counties ranked by combined rent and home value. Find where housing costs are lowest — with real income data to prove these are livable communities.
Average Rent by State: All 50 States Ranked (2026)
Average monthly rent for all 50 states ranked from most to least expensive. See how your state compares and find the cheapest and most expensive states for renters.
Most Affordable Counties to Buy a Home (2026)
The 25 most affordable US counties to buy a home, ranked by median home value. See where homeownership is within reach.
Most Expensive Counties for Renters (2026)
The 25 most expensive US counties for renters ranked by median rent, with rent burden analysis. See where renters pay the most.
Where Renters Are Most Cost-Burdened (2026)
The 25 counties where renters spend the highest share of income on housing. GRAPI-based rankings with income data.
Best Counties for Remote Workers by Cost (2026)
The 25 best US counties for remote workers based on housing costs, home values, and local economic stability.
Retiree-Friendly Counties: Low Cost, Solid Value (2026)
25 counties where retirees can stretch fixed income with low rent and affordable home values.
Income Needed to Live Comfortably in Every State (2026)
The exact income needed to afford average rent in all 50 states without exceeding 30% of gross income.
Rent vs. Own: Which Is Cheaper in Every State? (2026)
State-by-state comparison of average rent vs. average monthly owner cost. See where renting or buying wins.
Counties Where Rent Is Rising Fastest (2026)
Counties showing signs of rapid rent appreciation based on rent burden, market pressure, and demand signals.
Most Affordable Rural Counties (2026)
The 25 most affordable rural US counties ranked by rent-to-income ratio. Low costs, livable communities.
Midwest vs. Coast: Where Your Dollar Goes Further (2026)
Regional cost of living comparison: Midwest vs. Coast counties. Rent, home values, and affordability analysis.