01 · the cities
Reno
Reno calls itself the Biggest Little City in the World and means it: casinos and neon, sure, but also a quietly cool downtown, a strong outdoor culture (Tahoe is 45 minutes south), and the Truckee River running right through the middle of everything. The University of Nevada keeps things young. Burning Man buses depart from here every August. Sunnier and drier than people expect.
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
$1,908/mo
$1,733/mo
$175/mo less than Reno (10%)
Median home price
Median home price
$574k
$463k
$111k less than Reno
State income tax
State income tax
0%
4.4%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,425/mo
$6,234/mo
Reno has $191/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
201 days
184 days
17 fewer than Reno
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
4 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
28 days
75 days
days below 20°F per year
Colorado Springs drops below 20°F on 47 more days per year than Reno.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
71 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
13 routes
11 routes
Metro size
Metro size
565k metro
769k metro
Reno has 2.4x more events per month than Colorado Springs.
the verdict
4
Reno
categories won
2
Colorado Springs
categories won
Reno leads on weather and wins overall.
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