01 · the cities
Naples
Naples brings wealthy retirees to the Gulf coast for genuinely some of the prettiest beaches in Florida, and the sunsets at the pier are a community ritual (everyone gathers, no one talks). The downtown along Fifth Avenue is pastel and breezy. Mercato has the upscale restaurants. The Everglades' western edge starts just south of town. Affluent, sunny, and quieter than the east-coast Florida cities.
full dispatch→Raleigh
Raleigh is the third leg of the Research Triangle, full of oaks (its nickname is the City of Oaks), state museums that are all free, and a downtown that's grown up fast without losing its quiet edges. NC State pumps young energy in, the food scene is sneaky-good, and the surrounding pine forests make summer evenings smell incredible. Beaches are two hours east, mountains three hours west.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,719/mo
$1,663/mo
$1,056/mo less than Naples (63%)
Median home price
Median home price
$679k
$440k
$238k less than Naples
State income tax
State income tax
0%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,614/mo
$6,295/mo
Raleigh has $681/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
261 days
201 days
60 fewer than Naples
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
5 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
3 days
days below 20°F per year
Raleigh has 5 more days above 95°F each year than Naples.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
58 / 100
58 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
34 routes
39 routes
5 more direct routes than Naples
Metro size
Metro size
404k metro
1.5M metro
the verdict
3
Naples
categories won
4
Raleigh
categories won
Raleigh wins on money and lifestyle. Naples has the edge on weather.
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