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→Birmingham
Birmingham was built on steel and reshaped by the civil rights movement, and you can feel both stories in the city. The Civil Rights Institute is essential, the food scene (Highlands Bar and Grill, Hot and Hot Fish Club, plenty more) is one of the most acclaimed in the South. The Vulcan statue, the largest cast-iron statue in the world, looks down on the city from Red Mountain. Younger than its reputation suggests.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,407/mo
$1,922/mo less than New York (137%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$261k
$479k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
5.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,510/mo
Birmingham has $2,400/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
171 days
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
28 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
4 days
days below 20°F per year
Birmingham has 27 more days above 95°F each year than New York. New York drops below 20°F on 15 more days per year than Birmingham.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
61 / 100
17.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
20 routes
195 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
1.2M metro
New York has 43.4x more events per month than Birmingham.
the verdict
3
New York
categories won
5
Birmingham
categories won
Birmingham wins on money. New York has the edge on lifestyle.
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