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→Evansville
Evansville sits on a horseshoe bend of the Ohio River in the southwestern corner of Indiana, closer to Memphis than to Indianapolis in feel. The Mesker Park Zoo is a sleeper good time. The University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana keep college energy in town. River history, Cajun and Southern food influences, and a friendly Midwest pace. Cheap and easy.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,075/mo
$1,738/mo less than Salinas (162%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$222k
$639k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
3.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$7,008/mo
Evansville has $2,263/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
2 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
21 days
days below 20°F per year
Evansville drops below 20°F on 21 more days per year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
54 / 100
17.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
4 routes
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
271k metro
the verdict
3
Salinas
categories won
4
Evansville
categories won
Evansville wins on money. Salinas has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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