Are you actually spending too much, or does it just feel that way because of where you live? In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down a new budget benchmarking tool that compares your spending to households like yours using real government data, regional cost-of-living adjustments, fair market rents, childcare costs, and local pricing. They explain the difference between cost of living and affordability, compare high-cost and low-cost cities, and show how housing, transportation, and income all impact your path to financial independence.

You'll learn how to benchmark your own budget, identify areas where you may be overspending, and use data, AI, and your own transaction history to make smarter financial decisions. Whether you live in a high-cost city or a low-cost market, this episode will help you optimize your spending, increase your savings rate, and reach financial independence faster.

To go beyond the podcast:

We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you’re starting. Let’s get your financial house in order!

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