01 · the cities
Salinas
Salinas is the Salad Bowl of the World, where most of the country's leafy greens, strawberries, and broccoli come from. John Steinbeck grew up here and the National Steinbeck Center downtown is excellent. The Salinas Rodeo is a century-old summer event. The Monterey Bay is 20 minutes west, but the city itself is a working ag town with strong Mexican-American culture.
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
$2,813/mo
$1,733/mo
$1,080/mo less than Salinas (62%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$463k
$399k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.4%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,234/mo
Colorado Springs has $1,489/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
335 days
184 days
151 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
75 days
days below 20°F per year
Colorado Springs drops below 20°F on 75 more days per year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
71 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
11 routes
5 more direct routes than Salinas
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
769k metro
the verdict
2
Salinas
categories won
5
Colorado Springs
categories won
Colorado Springs wins on money and lifestyle. Salinas has the edge on weather.
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