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→Buffalo
Buffalo invented the wing (Anchor Bar, 1964, midnight, blue cheese, celery, not negotiable) and that should tell you most of what you need to know about the city's spirit. The Bills Mafia jumps through tables in subzero parking lots. Niagara Falls is 20 minutes away. The architecture (Sullivan, Wright, Olmsted parks) is genuinely world-class. The snow is part of the local mythology and the locals wear it proudly.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,890/mo
$1,374/mo
$1,516/mo less than San Diego (110%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$280k
$731k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
5.9%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$6,472/mo
Buffalo has $1,804/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
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
42 days
days below 20°F per year
Buffalo drops below 20°F on 42 more days per year than San Diego.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
75 / 100
66 / 100
9.0 pts behind San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
20 routes
35 fewer direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
1.2M metro
San Diego has 2.6x more events per month than Buffalo.
the verdict
4
San Diego
categories won
4
Buffalo
categories won
San Diego wins on weather and lifestyle, Buffalo wins on money. Dead even.
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