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→Memphis
Memphis is dry-rub ribs, Beale Street neon, and the rooms where Stax and Sun Records changed pop music forever. Graceland is a tourist pilgrimage that's still genuinely moving. The Mississippi rolls past, the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is essential, and the BBQ debate (rib joints vs. the chopped-pork houses) is a local pastime. Soulful in the literal sense.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,436/mo
$1,893/mo less than New York (132%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$244k
$496k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,897/mo
Memphis has $2,787/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
185 days
14 more than New York
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
6 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
5 days
days below 20°F per year
Memphis has 5 more days above 95°F each year than New York. New York drops below 20°F on 14 more days per year than Memphis.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
56 / 100
22.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
32 routes
183 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
1.3M metro
New York has 108.5x more events per month than Memphis.
the verdict
3
New York
categories won
6
Memphis
categories won
Memphis wins on money and weather. New York has the edge on lifestyle.
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