Within ArcGIS there are 4 main data classifications. 1. Natural Breaks, 2. Manual Breaks, 3. Equal Interval, and 4. Standard Deviation. These 4 methods all use the same data, but display the data differently. These 4 methods all serve a purpose and you must choose the right one for your specific task.
We should consider the following questions when choosing a method:
- Does the method take into consideration the distribution of data?
- Does it make it easier to understand data?
- Does make computations easier?
- Does it make the legend easier to read?
- Is it appropriate for our selected number of classes?
- Is this method the most ethical?
Different methods of classifications highlight the data in different ways and dependent on my audience and agenda, I would display different maps. If i wanted to highlight the inequalities then I would display the natural breaks or standard deviation map as they accentuate the price differences. If I wanted to say that there is not much of a difference I would display the equal intervals map. If I was a real estate agent I would use manual breaks because I can choose the specific price ranges. There are ethical implications to the map classification method because the data can be manipulated for the intended use, but the natural breaks appears to be a fair method.