01 · the cities
Detroit
Detroit is Motown, techno's birthplace, auto-industry bones, and a comeback story that's actually happening. Coney dogs come with chili and onions, the riverfront looks across at Canada (yes, Canada is south of Detroit), and the murals in Eastern Market could fill an art book. Cass Corridor, Corktown, Mexicantown: every neighborhood feels like its own city. The architecture downtown is genuinely jaw-dropping.
full dispatch→Charlotte
Charlotte is banking towers (it's the second-biggest banking center in the country after NYC) wrapped in pine trees and southern hospitality. Uptown is the downtown (Charlotteans correct you on this immediately), the NASCAR Hall of Fame anchors a real motorsport scene, and the Whitewater Center lets you raft inside the city limits. Growth is fast, breweries are everywhere, and barbecue gets the Carolina vinegar treatment.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,472/mo
$1,728/mo
$256/mo more than Detroit (15%)
Median home price
Median home price
$262k
$391k
$129k more than Detroit
State income tax
State income tax
4.3%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,507/mo
$6,230/mo
Detroit has $277/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
160 days
200 days
40 more than Detroit
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
7 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
37 days
3 days
days below 20°F per year
Charlotte has 7 more days above 95°F each year than Detroit. Detroit drops below 20°F on 34 more days per year than Charlotte.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
47 / 100
51 / 100
4.0 pts ahead of Detroit
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
135 routes
141 routes
6 more direct routes than Detroit
Metro size
Metro size
4.3M metro
2.8M metro
Detroit has 1.3x fewer events per month than Charlotte.
the verdict
5
Detroit
categories won
4
Charlotte
categories won
Detroit wins on money. Charlotte has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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