01 · the cities
Duluth
Duluth sits on the western tip of Lake Superior, with the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge lifting for ships entering the harbor. Bob Dylan was born here. The lakefront walking path goes for miles. Canal Park has the local food and brewery scene. Summer hiking, kayaking, and shoreline views are jaw-dropping, and winter turns the city into a snow-lit lakeside cathedral. Wild and beautiful.
full dispatch→Madison
Madison sits on an isthmus between two lakes, with the state capitol gleaming on one end and the University of Wisconsin sprawling on the other. The Saturday farmers market around the Capitol Square is one of the best in the country. Cheese curds, brats, and beer are mandatory food groups. The Terrace at Memorial Union, looking out at Lake Mendota, is the unofficial heart of the city in summer.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,559/mo
$1,673/mo
$114/mo more than Duluth (7%)
Median home price
Median home price
$252k
$465k
$212k more than Duluth
State income tax
State income tax
7.8%
6.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,120/mo
$6,138/mo
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
132 days
147 days
15 more than Duluth
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
105 days
71 days
days below 20°F per year
Duluth drops below 20°F on 34 more days per year than Madison.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
73 / 100
67 / 100
6.0 pts behind Duluth
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
4 routes
11 routes
7 more direct routes than Duluth
Metro size
Metro size
282k metro
694k metro
Duluth has 1.3x fewer events per month than Madison.
the verdict
3
Duluth
categories won
5
Madison
categories won
Madison leads on weather and wins overall.
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