01 · the cities
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 88 cities pretending to be one, connected by freeways and a shared love of really good tacos. Every neighborhood is its own scene: surfers in Venice, the Korean grandmas of K-town, mountains rising behind Pasadena, Persian rugs in Westwood. The light at golden hour is so good it makes Instagram filters jealous. Roll the windows down at golden hour, put on a playlist, and let the city stretch out.
full dispatch→Buffalo
Buffalo invented the wing (Anchor Bar, 1964, midnight, blue cheese, celery, not negotiable) and that should tell you most of what you need to know about the city's spirit. The Bills Mafia jumps through tables in subzero parking lots. Niagara Falls is 20 minutes away. The architecture (Sullivan, Wright, Olmsted parks) is genuinely world-class. The snow is part of the local mythology and the locals wear it proudly.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,899/mo
$1,374/mo
$1,525/mo less than Los Angeles (111%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$280k
$750k less than Los Angeles
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
5.9%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,659/mo
$6,472/mo
Buffalo has $1,813/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
283 days
152 days
131 fewer than Los Angeles
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
19 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
42 days
days below 20°F per year
Los Angeles has 19 more days above 95°F each year than Buffalo. Buffalo drops below 20°F on 42 more days per year than Los Angeles.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
67 / 100
66 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
150 routes
20 routes
130 fewer direct routes than Los Angeles
Metro size
Metro size
12.8M metro
1.2M metro
Los Angeles has 5.1x more events per month than Buffalo.
the verdict
3
Los Angeles
categories won
5
Buffalo
categories won
Buffalo wins on money. Los Angeles has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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