01 · the cities
New Orleans
New Orleans doesn't run on time, it runs on rhythm. The brass bands roll second-line parades through the streets for weddings, funerals, and Tuesdays, the gumbo is a personality test, and the French Quarter's wrought-iron balconies look exactly like the postcards. Mardi Gras is real life here, not a stunt. The air carries beignet sugar, river mist, and someone's trumpet warming up two blocks over.
full dispatch→Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is the Grand Strand's anchor, with 60 miles of beach, more than 80 mini golf courses (it might be the mini golf capital of America), and a boardwalk packed with arcades and pancake houses. Calabash-style fried seafood is a thing. It's a family beach town, full stop, with affordable oceanfront and easy access to Charleston a few hours south.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,612/mo
$1,727/mo
$115/mo more than New Orleans (7%)
Median home price
Median home price
$259k
$361k
$102k more than New Orleans
State income tax
State income tax
3.0%
6.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,471/mo
$6,065/mo
New Orleans has $406/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
235 days
249 days
14 more than New Orleans
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
3 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Myrtle Beach edges ahead on pleasant days, but both cities have comparable comfort overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
55 / 100
58 / 100
3.0 pts ahead of New Orleans
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
39 routes
23 routes
16 fewer direct routes than New Orleans
Metro size
Metro size
962k metro
397k metro
New Orleans has 4.2x more events per month than Myrtle Beach.
the verdict
5
New Orleans
categories won
2
Myrtle Beach
categories won
New Orleans wins on money. Myrtle Beach has the edge on weather.
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