01 · the cities
Salisbury
Salisbury is the unofficial capital of Maryland's Eastern Shore, home to Perdue Farms' headquarters (yes, the chicken company), and a quick drive to Ocean City beaches. The Wicomico River runs past, the Salisbury Zoo (free) is a sleeper good time, and the surrounding Chesapeake Bay landscape is gorgeous. Slower-paced, water-oriented, and underrated.
full dispatch→Columbia
Columbia is the South Carolina capital, USC Gamecock country, and home to one of the largest urban rivers (the Congaree) flowing right past downtown. The Saluda River outside town is a tubing destination locals swear by, and Congaree National Park's old-growth cypress is a 30-minute drive. The state museum is a sleeper good time. Slower-paced than Charleston, less touristy.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,899/mo
$1,551/mo
$348/mo less than Salisbury (22%)
Median home price
Median home price
$420k
$255k
$165k less than Salisbury
State income tax
State income tax
8.2%
6.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,751/mo
$6,241/mo
Columbia has $490/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
189 days
189 days
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
3 days
27 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
10 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Columbia has 24 more days above 95°F each year than Salisbury. Salisbury drops below 20°F on 8 more days per year than Columbia.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
53 / 100
55 / 100
2.0 pts ahead of Salisbury
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
10 routes
8 more direct routes than Salisbury
Metro size
Metro size
130k metro
857k metro
Salisbury has 1.6x fewer events per month than Columbia.
the verdict
1
Salisbury
categories won
7
Columbia
categories won
Columbia wins this comparison, leading on money and lifestyle.
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