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→Columbia
Columbia is the South Carolina capital, USC Gamecock country, and home to one of the largest urban rivers (the Congaree) flowing right past downtown. The Saluda River outside town is a tubing destination locals swear by, and Congaree National Park's old-growth cypress is a 30-minute drive. The state museum is a sleeper good time. Slower-paced than Charleston, less touristy.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,551/mo
$1,778/mo less than New York (115%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$255k
$484k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
6.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,241/mo
Columbia has $2,131/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
189 days
18 more than New York
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
27 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Columbia has 26 more days above 95°F each year than New York. New York drops below 20°F on 17 more days per year than Columbia.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
55 / 100
23.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
10 routes
205 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
857k metro
New York has 205.6x more events per month than Columbia.
the verdict
3
New York
categories won
6
Columbia
categories won
Columbia wins on money and weather. New York has the edge on lifestyle.
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