How Location Scores Are Calculated
Location carries 8% of the HousRank composite. Its signal is the ZIP code's median estimated valuation within the scoring cohort, a price-level proxy that does not measure safety, convenience, or neighborhood quality.
The location score input
Location carries 8% of the composite. The scoring signal is based on ZIP-level median estimated valuation within the cohort. It is a limited proxy for local price levels, not a direct measure of desirability, safety, services, or convenience.
Like the other category scores, the location score is cohort-relative and mapped to a score range. It should not be read as a direct rating of a neighborhood.
What the location score reflects
The signal uses each listing's ZIP code and the median estimated valuation of homes in that ZIP within the scoring cohort. If that ZIP has no median available, the signal is missing and is treated neutrally by the scoring calculation.
This proxy cannot tell you about safety, convenience, amenities, or neighborhood quality. City and neighborhood ranks are separate from this category score.
Reading location alongside the other scores
A higher location score means the ZIP-level median estimated valuation ranks higher in the scoring cohort. Do not interpret it as evidence that a place is safer or more convenient. Consult local sources for neighborhood factors that matter to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the location score about the specific home or the area?
It uses the ZIP code's median estimated valuation within the scoring cohort. This is a price-level proxy, not a measure of neighborhood desirability, safety, or convenience.
How much does location affect the overall score?
Location is weighted at 8% of the composite. Its input is a ZIP-level median valuation proxy, not a broad assessment of location quality.
Can I compare neighborhoods by location?
City and neighborhood rankings are separate rank calculations. The location score itself uses a ZIP-level median estimated valuation proxy and should not be used as a neighborhood quality rating.