01 · the cities
San Diego
San Diego is the city most Californians secretly wish they lived in: 70°F, sunny, and a beach for every mood. Fish tacos are religion, Balboa Park is bigger than Central Park and packed with museums, and the craft beer scene is one of the best in the country. The zoo is world-famous and the burritos are aggressively underrated. Even the freeways feel relaxed here.
full dispatch→Akron
Akron was the Rubber City (Goodyear, Firestone, BFGoodrich all built here), and the legacy still shapes its industrial bones. LeBron James is from Akron and never forgets it. The Goodyear blimp is based in town. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just north, with waterfalls and rail-trails. Cheaper than Cleveland, with its own quiet charm.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,890/mo
$1,259/mo
$1,631/mo less than San Diego (130%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$236k
$774k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$6,742/mo
Akron has $2,074/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
332 days
152 days
180 fewer than San Diego
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
40 days
days below 20°F per year
Akron drops below 20°F on 40 more days per year than San Diego.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
75 / 100
65 / 100
10.0 pts behind San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
11 routes
44 fewer direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
698k metro
San Diego has 5.3x more events per month than Akron.
the verdict
4
San Diego
categories won
4
Akron
categories won
San Diego wins on weather and lifestyle, Akron wins on money. Dead even.
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