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→Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 88 cities pretending to be one, connected by freeways and a shared love of really good tacos. Every neighborhood is its own scene: surfers in Venice, the Korean grandmas of K-town, mountains rising behind Pasadena, Persian rugs in Westwood. The light at golden hour is so good it makes Instagram filters jealous. Roll the windows down at golden hour, put on a playlist, and let the city stretch out.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$2,899/mo
$430/mo less than New York (15%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$1.0M
$290k more than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
9.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$4,659/mo
Los Angeles has $549/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
283 days
112 more than New York
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
19 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Los Angeles has 18 more days above 95°F each year than New York. New York drops below 20°F on 19 more days per year than Los Angeles.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
67 / 100
11.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
150 routes
65 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
12.8M metro
New York has 11.2x more events per month than Los Angeles.
the verdict
4
New York
categories won
5
Los Angeles
categories won
Los Angeles wins on money and weather. New York has the edge on lifestyle.
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