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→Chattanooga
Chattanooga became the first city in the country to roll out gigabit fiber internet to every home (2010, via the municipal utility), which jump-started a tech and remote-work scene. Lookout Mountain rises right above town, with Ruby Falls' underground waterfall and Rock City's epic views. The Tennessee Riverwalk is gorgeous. The Choo Choo (old terminal turned hotel) is a fun stay.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,524/mo
$1,805/mo less than New York (118%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$322k
$417k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,809/mo
Chattanooga has $2,699/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
167 days
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
16 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
5 days
days below 20°F per year
Chattanooga has 15 more days above 95°F each year than New York. New York drops below 20°F on 14 more days per year than Chattanooga.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
69 / 100
9.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
8 routes
207 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
580k metro
New York has 169.9x more events per month than Chattanooga.
the verdict
3
New York
categories won
5
Chattanooga
categories won
Chattanooga wins on money. New York has the edge on lifestyle.
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