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→Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a three-mile boardwalk, a giant Neptune statue keeping watch, and Atlantic surf that's warm in August and gentle in September. The military presence (Navy and Air Force) gives the city a structured, welcoming feel. False Cape and Back Bay nature areas are wild marshland just south of the high-rises. October on the boardwalk might be the prettiest month on the East Coast.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$1,819/mo
$1,510/mo less than New York (83%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$375k
$364k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
5.8%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$6,035/mo
Virginia Beach has $1,925/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
211 days
40 more than New York
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
New York drops below 20°F on 17 more days per year than Virginia Beach.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
57 / 100
21.0 pts behind New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
17 routes
198 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
1.8M metro
New York has 130.2x more events per month than Virginia Beach.
the verdict
2
New York
categories won
6
Virginia Beach
categories won
Virginia Beach wins on money and weather. New York has the edge on lifestyle.
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