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→Lansing
Lansing is the Michigan state capital, Michigan State (East Lansing is essentially a continuation), and old auto industry roots that have softened into a quieter mid-sized city. The Grand River curves through downtown. The Capitol building is one of the prettier state capitols you'll see. Cheap, friendly, and a quick drive to Lake Michigan beaches.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,259/mo
$1,554/mo less than Salinas (123%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$244k
$618k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,720/mo
Lansing has $1,975/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
153 days
182 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
52 days
days below 20°F per year
Lansing drops below 20°F on 52 more days per year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
57 / 100
14.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
6 routes
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
473k metro
the verdict
3
Salinas
categories won
4
Lansing
categories won
Lansing wins on money. Salinas has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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