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→Raleigh
Raleigh is the third leg of the Research Triangle, full of oaks (its nickname is the City of Oaks), state museums that are all free, and a downtown that's grown up fast without losing its quiet edges. NC State pumps young energy in, the food scene is sneaky-good, and the surrounding pine forests make summer evenings smell incredible. Beaches are two hours east, mountains three hours west.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,663/mo
$1,666/mo less than New York (100%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$440k
$299k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,295/mo
Raleigh has $2,185/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
201 days
30 more than New York
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
5 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
3 days
days below 20°F per year
New York drops below 20°F on 16 more days per year than Raleigh.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
58 / 100
20.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
39 routes
176 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
1.5M metro
New York has 83.1x more events per month than Raleigh.
the verdict
2
New York
categories won
6
Raleigh
categories won
Raleigh wins on money and weather. New York has the edge on lifestyle.
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