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→Lincoln
Lincoln is the Nebraska state capital, home to the University of Nebraska, and on home-game Saturdays Memorial Stadium fills with over 85,000 fans (briefly making it the third-largest city in Nebraska). The state capitol is a striking 400-foot Art Deco tower visible from miles away. The Haymarket district downtown has the food and bar scene. Friendly, affordable, and prettier than its prairie reputation suggests.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,311/mo
$1,502/mo less than Salinas (115%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$302k
$560k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
5.8%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,536/mo
Lincoln has $1,791/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
152 days
183 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
13 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
48 days
days below 20°F per year
Lincoln has 13 more days above 95°F each year than Salinas. Lincoln drops below 20°F on 48 more days per year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
53 / 100
18.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
3 routes
3 fewer direct routes than Salinas
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
344k metro
the verdict
5
Salinas
categories won
4
Lincoln
categories won
Salinas wins on weather and lifestyle. Lincoln has the edge on money.
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