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→Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is Moravian cookie traditions, old tobacco wealth (R.J. Reynolds), and Krispy Kreme's hometown (the original hot doughnut sign is still here). Old Salem is a living history Moravian village downtown. The food scene has picked up nicely, the arts scene leans on the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Slower-paced than its Triad neighbors. A little secret.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,813/mo
$1,508/mo
$1,305/mo less than Salinas (87%)
Median home price
Median home price
$862k
$283k
$579k less than Salinas
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,745/mo
$6,450/mo
Winston-Salem has $1,705/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
186 days
149 fewer than Salinas
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
8 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
6 days
days below 20°F per year
Winston-Salem has 8 more days above 95°F each year than Salinas. Winston-Salem drops below 20°F on 6 more days per year than Salinas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
71 / 100
54 / 100
17.0 pts behind Salinas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
6 routes
0 routes
6 fewer direct routes than Salinas
Metro size
Metro size
431k metro
696k metro
the verdict
5
Salinas
categories won
4
Winston-Salem
categories won
Salinas wins on weather and lifestyle. Winston-Salem has the edge on money.
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