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→Washington
Washington DC is power dressed in seersucker. The monuments glow at night, the Smithsonian museums are all free (yes, all of them), and the cherry blossoms in April make even cynical lobbyists pause for a selfie. It's one of the most international cities in America (embassies from everywhere), with food scenes to match. The vibe shifts every four years and the architecture stays magnificent through all of it.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,329/mo
$2,352/mo
$977/mo less than New York (42%)
Median home price
Median home price
$739k
$626k
$113k less than New York
State income tax
State income tax
10.7%
8.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,110/mo
$5,273/mo
Washington has $1,163/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
177 days
6 more than New York
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
4 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
11 days
days below 20°F per year
New York drops below 20°F on 8 more days per year than Washington.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
78 / 100
87 / 100
9.0 pts ahead of New York
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
215 routes
160 routes
55 fewer direct routes than New York
Metro size
Metro size
19.5M metro
6.3M metro
New York has 24.3x more events per month than Washington.
the verdict
1
New York
categories won
7
Washington
categories won
Washington wins this comparison, leading on money and weather.
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