01 · the cities
Chicago
Chicago is deep-dish for tourists, thin-crust tavern style for locals, and a hot dog that absolutely will not have ketchup on it. The L rumbles overhead, the lakefront stretches for 18 unbroken miles of beach and trail, and the architecture boat tour is the single best $50 you'll spend. Summer in Chicago might be the best summer in America. The improv comedy gene pool is unmatched.
full dispatch→Dallas
Dallas is Stetsons next to skyscrapers, Tex-Mex with queso flowing freely, and a barbecue scene that quietly competes with Austin's. The arts district downtown is enormous and free to wander, while Bishop Arts and Deep Ellum bring the indie energy. Football is its own religion (high school, college, and Cowboys all year round). The bigness is real, and the city wears it well.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,170/mo
$1,647/mo
$523/mo less than Chicago (32%)
Median home price
Median home price
$365k
$367k
State income tax
State income tax
5.0%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,751/mo
$6,686/mo
Dallas has $935/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
153 days
171 days
18 more than Chicago
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
40 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
38 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Dallas has 39 more days above 95°F each year than Chicago. Chicago drops below 20°F on 36 more days per year than Dallas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
70 / 100
57 / 100
13.0 pts behind Chicago
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
217 routes
190 routes
27 fewer direct routes than Chicago
Metro size
Metro size
9.3M metro
8.1M metro
Chicago has 2.9x more events per month than Dallas.
the verdict
3
Chicago
categories won
5
Dallas
categories won
Dallas wins on money and weather. Chicago has the edge on lifestyle.
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