01 · the cities
Portland
Portland Maine is lobster rolls, lighthouses (Portland Head Light is the brochure), a working waterfront where fishing boats still come in, and a food scene that has the same per-capita acclaim as the much bigger Portland Oregon. The Old Port's brick streets, breweries, and harbor views are walkable in an afternoon. Casco Bay's islands are a ferry ride away. Tiny, dense, and seriously delicious.
full dispatch→Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs sits at the foot of Pikes Peak (which inspired America the Beautiful), with the Garden of the Gods' red rock formations rising on the city's western edge. The Air Force Academy chapel is one of the most striking pieces of modernist religious architecture in the country. It's drier and sunnier than people expect, with strong evangelical and military communities shaping the city's character. Outdoorsy in a quiet way.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,285/mo
$1,733/mo
$552/mo less than Portland (32%)
Median home price
Median home price
$543k
$463k
$80k less than Portland
State income tax
State income tax
7.5%
4.4%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,423/mo
$6,234/mo
Colorado Springs has $811/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
145 days
184 days
39 more than Portland
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
19 days
75 days
days below 20°F per year
Colorado Springs drops below 20°F on 56 more days per year than Portland.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
71 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
11 routes
9 more direct routes than Portland
Metro size
Metro size
566k metro
769k metro
Portland has 1.4x fewer events per month than Colorado Springs.
the verdict
1
Portland
categories won
6
Colorado Springs
categories won
Colorado Springs wins this comparison, leading on money and lifestyle.
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