01 · the cities
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→Syracuse
Syracuse averages around 120 inches of snow per year, which is the most of any major U.S. city, and locals wear it like a badge. The Carrier Dome (now JMA Wireless Dome) is the largest on-campus arena in the country. The food scene leans Italian (Salt City was an Italian immigrant hub) and excellent. The Finger Lakes are right next door. Bring boots.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,673/mo
$1,619/mo
$54/mo less than Madison (3%)
Median home price
Median home price
$465k
$254k
$210k less than Madison
State income tax
State income tax
6.3%
5.9%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,138/mo
$6,227/mo
Syracuse has $89/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
147 days
142 days
5 fewer than Madison
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
71 days
53 days
days below 20°F per year
Madison drops below 20°F on 18 more days per year than Syracuse.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
67 / 100
59 / 100
8.0 pts behind Madison
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
11 routes
16 routes
5 more direct routes than Madison
Metro size
Metro size
694k metro
653k metro
Madison has 1.8x fewer events per month than Syracuse.
the verdict
2
Madison
categories won
6
Syracuse
categories won
Syracuse leads on money and wins overall.
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