As a record construction boom collides with chronic labor shortages, the U.S. construction industry is more reliant on immigrant workers than ever. Nationwide, over a quarter of the construction workforce is foreign-born—and in several major metros, that figure exceeds 50%. As federal immigration enforcement ramps up, these markets in particular could see crews thin out, costs climb, and key projects delayed. A new analysis from Construction Coverage identifies the U.S. metros and states where the construction industry depends most on foreign workers, analyzing the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau to rank locations by the percentage of construction employees who are foreign-born.

Across the country, Americans are discovering that “living comfortably” now carries a much higher price tag. Essentials like rent, groceries, and child care have grown more expensive in nearly every region—and, in some cities, families need to earn well into six figures just to keep up with the basics. In a new analysis, researchers at Upgraded Points reveal how much income Americans need to live comfortably in every U.S. city and state, using the latest data from the Economic Policy Institute and U.S. Census Bureau to calculate a comfortable living wage for individuals, 2-adult households without children, and 2-adult households with 1 to 3 children.