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→Lexington
Lexington is the Thoroughbred horse capital of the world, with bluegrass-fed horse farms surrounding the city in white-fenced perfection. Keeneland racetrack is one of the most beautiful in the world. The bourbon trail starts right here. Downtown is small but tightening up nicely with food and bars. The University of Kentucky's blue bleeds through everything.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,488/mo
$1,325/mo less than Salinas (89%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$324k
$537k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,470/mo
Lexington has $1,725/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
171 days
164 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
19 days
days below 20°F per year
Lexington drops below 20°F on 19 more days per year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
60 / 100
11.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
13 routes
7 more direct routes than Salinas
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
520k metro
the verdict
3
Salinas
categories won
5
Lexington
categories won
Lexington wins on money. Salinas has the edge on weather.
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