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→Detroit
Detroit is Motown, techno's birthplace, auto-industry bones, and a comeback story that's actually happening. Coney dogs come with chili and onions, the riverfront looks across at Canada (yes, Canada is south of Detroit), and the murals in Eastern Market could fill an art book. Cass Corridor, Corktown, Mexicantown: every neighborhood feels like its own city. The architecture downtown is genuinely jaw-dropping.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,472/mo
$1,857/mo less than New York (126%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$262k
$477k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
4.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,507/mo
Detroit has $2,397/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
160 days
11 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
37 days
days below 20°F per year
Detroit drops below 20°F on 18 more days per year than New York.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
47 / 100
31.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
135 routes
80 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
4.3M metro
New York has 43.4x more events per month than Detroit.
the verdict
4
New York
categories won
4
Detroit
categories won
New York wins on weather and lifestyle, Detroit wins on money. Dead even.
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