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→Philadelphia
Philadelphia is cheesesteaks (the Pat's vs. Geno's argument is mostly theater), the Italian Market, and the Liberty Bell sitting modestly in a glass pavilion. Murals are everywhere (the city runs the largest public art program in the country). The Eagles fans climbing light poles is folklore for a reason. The food scene punches way above its weight and the bar scene knows it.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,472/mo
$1,869/mo
$397/mo more than Detroit (21%)
Median home price
Median home price
$262k
$393k
$131k more than Detroit
State income tax
State income tax
4.3%
6.8%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,507/mo
$5,896/mo
Detroit has $611/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
173 days
13 more than Detroit
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
2 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
37 days
21 days
days below 20°F per year
Detroit drops below 20°F on 16 more days per year than Philadelphia.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
47 / 100
69 / 100
22.0 pts ahead of Detroit
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
135 routes
122 routes
13 fewer direct routes than Detroit
Metro size
Metro size
4.3M metro
6.2M metro
Detroit has 2.1x fewer events per month than Philadelphia.
the verdict
5
Detroit
categories won
3
Philadelphia
categories won
Detroit wins on money. Philadelphia has the edge on weather.
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