01 · the cities
Houston
Houston has no zoning laws (you'll see a taco truck next to a mansion next to a strip mall), the most diverse food scene in America by most rankings, and NASA's mission control out on the edge of town. The Texas Medical Center is the largest in the world. It's sprawling and culturally enormous, with a Vietnamese pho district, Nigerian jollof spots, and a Tex-Mex scene that takes itself seriously. Bigger than you think, in every direction.
full dispatch→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→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,610/mo
$1,472/mo
$138/mo less than Houston (9%)
Median home price
Median home price
$311k
$262k
$49k less than Houston
State income tax
State income tax
0%
4.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,723/mo
$6,507/mo
Houston has $216/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
171 days
160 days
11 fewer than Houston
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
54 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
1 days
37 days
days below 20°F per year
Houston has 54 more days above 95°F each year than Detroit. Detroit drops below 20°F on 36 more days per year than Houston.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
55 / 100
47 / 100
8.0 pts behind Houston
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
176 routes
135 routes
41 fewer direct routes than Houston
Metro size
Metro size
7.5M metro
4.3M metro
Houston has 2.4x more events per month than Detroit.
the verdict
6
Houston
categories won
3
Detroit
categories won
Houston leads on weather and lifestyle and wins overall.
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