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→Lansing
Lansing is the Michigan state capital, Michigan State (East Lansing is essentially a continuation), and old auto industry roots that have softened into a quieter mid-sized city. The Grand River curves through downtown. The Capitol building is one of the prettier state capitols you'll see. Cheap, friendly, and a quick drive to Lake Michigan beaches.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,259/mo
$2,070/mo less than New York (164%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$244k
$496k 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
$6,720/mo
Lansing has $2,610/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
153 days
18 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
52 days
days below 20°F per year
Lansing drops below 20°F on 33 more days per year than New York.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
57 / 100
21.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
6 routes
209 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
473k metro
New York has 217.1x more events per month than Lansing.
the verdict
4
New York
categories won
4
Lansing
categories won
New York wins on weather and lifestyle, Lansing wins on money. Dead even.
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