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→Fayetteville
Fayetteville's life revolves around Fort Liberty (recently renamed from Fort Bragg), one of the largest military installations in the world. The Cape Fear River runs past, the airborne and special operations museum is excellent, and the food scene reflects the international military families that cycle through. Southern, military, and friendly. Quieter than the big NC cities.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,477/mo
$1,336/mo less than Salinas (90%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$258k
$604k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,481/mo
Fayetteville has $1,736/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
193 days
142 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
14 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
3 days
days below 20°F per year
Fayetteville has 14 more days above 95°F each year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
51 / 100
20.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
4 routes
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
392k metro
the verdict
3
Salinas
categories won
4
Fayetteville
categories won
Fayetteville wins on money. Salinas has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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