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→Columbus
Columbus is on the Chattahoochee River, with the longest urban whitewater course in the world (since 2013) running right through downtown for rafting and surfing waves. Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) is the city's anchor. The Riverwalk stretches for miles. The downtown has come back nicely with restaurants and breweries. Smaller and friendlier than the city's industrial reputation suggests.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,264/mo
$1,549/mo less than Salinas (123%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$208k
$654k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
5.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,612/mo
Columbus has $1,867/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
177 days
158 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
39 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Columbus has 39 more days above 95°F each year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
47 / 100
24.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
1 routes
5 fewer direct routes than Salinas
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
329k metro
the verdict
4
Salinas
categories won
4
Columbus
categories won
Salinas wins on weather and lifestyle, Columbus wins on money. Dead even.
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