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→Shreveport
Shreveport sits on the Red River in the Ark-La-Tex corner, with riverboat casinos lining the waterfront and a food scene that runs Cajun, Creole, and serious smoked meats. The Mardi Gras parades here are smaller than New Orleans but just as enthusiastic. Texas is 20 minutes west, which gives the city a regional crossroads feel. Quieter and cheaper than the bigger Louisiana metros.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,308/mo
$1,505/mo less than Salinas (115%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$176k
$686k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
3.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,775/mo
Shreveport has $2,030/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
159 days
176 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
50 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Shreveport has 50 more days above 95°F each year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
56 / 100
15.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
5 routes
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
383k metro
the verdict
3
Salinas
categories won
4
Shreveport
categories won
Shreveport wins on money. Salinas has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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