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→Columbia
Columbia is the South Carolina capital, USC Gamecock country, and home to one of the largest urban rivers (the Congaree) flowing right past downtown. The Saluda River outside town is a tubing destination locals swear by, and Congaree National Park's old-growth cypress is a 30-minute drive. The state museum is a sleeper good time. Slower-paced than Charleston, less touristy.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,551/mo
$1,262/mo less than Salinas (81%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$255k
$607k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
6.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,241/mo
Columbia has $1,496/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
189 days
146 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
27 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Columbia has 27 more days above 95°F each year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
55 / 100
16.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
10 routes
4 more direct routes than Salinas
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
857k metro
the verdict
3
Salinas
categories won
5
Columbia
categories won
Columbia wins on money. Salinas has the edge on weather.
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