01 · the cities
New York
New York is the city that refuses to take a nap. Five boroughs of bodegas, bagels, late-night dollar slices, and entire neighborhoods that switch languages every six blocks. The subway is a 472-station miracle that runs all night, and Central Park is the green lung that keeps Manhattan sane. You will spend more than you planned and love every minute of it.
full dispatch→Anchorage
Anchorage is the city where moose sometimes wander into downtown, the Chugach Mountains tower right behind your office, and summer days run 19 hours long. The Iditarod sled-dog race kicks off from here every March. The food scene leans heavily on the world-class salmon and halibut coming off the boats. Winter brings the northern lights flickering above the mountains and the kind of quiet you only find this far north. Wild edge.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,713/mo
$1,616/mo less than New York (94%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$438k
$301k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,620/mo
Anchorage has $2,510/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
171 days
93 days
78 fewer than New York
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
91 days
days below 20°F per year
Anchorage drops below 20°F on 72 more days per year than New York.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
68 / 100
10.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
34 routes
181 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
401k metro
the verdict
4
New York
categories won
4
Anchorage
categories won
New York wins on weather and lifestyle, Anchorage wins on money. Dead even.
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