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→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
$2,890/mo
$1,551/mo
$1,339/mo less than San Diego (86%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$255k
$755k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
6.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$6,241/mo
Columbia has $1,573/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
189 days
143 fewer than San Diego
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
27 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Columbia has 27 more days above 95°F each year than San Diego.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
75 / 100
55 / 100
20.0 pts behind San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
10 routes
45 fewer direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
857k metro
San Diego has 9.2x more events per month than Columbia.
the verdict
4
San Diego
categories won
4
Columbia
categories won
San Diego wins on weather and lifestyle, Columbia wins on money. Dead even.
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