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Considering a move? Compare living costs across the country
CareerOneStop’s new Compare Cost of Living tool helps people understand how much more or less it might cost to live in a different location. For job seekers or others thinking about relocating, the tool can help answer questions such as:
- Will my expenses be more or less if I move to a new city or state?
- How much would I need to earn to afford my current lifestyle if I relocate?
- Should I ask for a higher salary if I relocate?
Users enter their current location and salary (or hourly wage), and the tool uses a cost-of-living equation to show the salary or wage amount required to pay for a similar lifestyle in a new location the user selects. Users can also enter any two locations—whether they currently live in one or not—and see how living costs compare between the two places.
The cost-of-living equation used in CareerOneStop’s tool was developed by the Analyst Resource Center and is based on yearly estimates of the basic needs for a typical family, including monthly living costs in seven cost categories: food, housing, health care, transportation, child care, other necessities, and net taxes.
Featured tool
Learn details about any occupation including what you might do on the job, how much you might earn, and how much education or training you might need.
American Job Centers continue to offer virtual services
Just like much of the rest of the country, many American Job Centers are preparing to re-open for in-person service. Nearly 2,400 AJCs nationwide help people search for jobs, find training, and answer other employment related questions. During the pandemic, most AJCs temporarily closed or shifted to virtual services.
Today, many physical locations remain closed, but AJC staff continue to offer assistance online or by phone. When you visit CareerOneStop’s American Job Center Finder to search for an AJC near you, you’ll see a special note in red indicating if a center is temporarily closed. If a center is open, you can find out if they are offering in-person or virtual services by clicking on the center name and scrolling down to “Center Status” under “General Information.” It’s always a good idea to call the phone number listed to check on current services.
Helping job seekers with criminal records
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Having a criminal record can present so many obstacles in a job search that many people simply give up on finding employment. Some of those obstacles are the result of outdated stigmas; others are due to occupational licensing laws and other regulations, but nearly all can be addressed by local employment programs specializing in helping ex-offenders achieve employment and stability.
CareerOneStop recently launched a ReEntry Program Finder to help connect people with organizations and programs in their area that offer help for individuals with criminal records. The ReEntry Program Finder includes information for nearly 1,000 programs located throughout the U.S. Many of the programs are offered through local nonprofit community organizations, and others through local American Job Centers.
Individuals who have a criminal record, or anyone assisting them, can search the ReEntry Program Finder by city, state, or ZIP code, and will find program contact information, location, map, directions, and website links. The programs listed offer a variety of services including employment and training help, housing assistance, chemical dependency treatment referrals, mental health services, and other related services. Since all programs are slightly different, people are encouraged to contact a few programs in their area and ask what type of assistance is available.
Coming Soon!
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