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→Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids has won Beer City USA multiple times, hosts ArtPrize (one of the world's largest open art competitions every fall), and built itself on furniture (Steelcase, Herman Miller). The Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park is a sleeper world-class attraction. Downtown is walkable, the surrounding farmland is gorgeous in autumn, and Lake Michigan beaches are 30 minutes west. Quietly excellent.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,899/mo
$1,620/mo
$1,279/mo less than Los Angeles (79%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$353k
$677k less than Los Angeles
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,659/mo
$6,359/mo
Grand Rapids has $1,700/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
151 days
132 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
50 days
days below 20°F per year
Los Angeles has 19 more days above 95°F each year than Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids drops below 20°F on 50 more days per year than Los Angeles.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
67 / 100
56 / 100
11.0 pts behind Los Angeles
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 5.0x more events per month than Grand Rapids.
the verdict
4
Los Angeles
categories won
5
Grand Rapids
categories won
Grand Rapids wins on money. Los Angeles has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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