01 · the cities
Richmond
Richmond is one of the only major U.S. cities with class IV whitewater rapids running right through downtown. The James River's Belle Isle is a public park where people sunbathe on boulders mid-river. The Fan and Carytown neighborhoods are full of murals, vintage shops, and porches built for sitting. The food scene leans creative, the beer scene leans plentiful, and VCU keeps the arts energy buzzing.
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
$1,691/mo
$1,733/mo
Median home price
Median home price
$394k
$463k
$69k more than Richmond
State income tax
State income tax
5.8%
4.4%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,163/mo
$6,234/mo
Colorado Springs has $71/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
172 days
184 days
12 more than Richmond
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
18 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
9 days
75 days
days below 20°F per year
Richmond has 18 more days above 95°F each year than Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs drops below 20°F on 66 more days per year than Richmond.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
65 / 100
71 / 100
6.0 pts ahead of Richmond
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
19 routes
11 routes
8 fewer direct routes than Richmond
Metro size
Metro size
1.4M metro
769k metro
Richmond has 1.3x more events per month than Colorado Springs.
the verdict
3
Richmond
categories won
5
Colorado Springs
categories won
Colorado Springs leads on money and weather and wins overall.
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