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→Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the Strip's neon dream, the desert's quiet edges, and a food scene that has quietly become world-class on the back of all those visiting chefs. Red Rock Canyon is 20 minutes from the Bellagio fountains, which is a useful reset button. Pools open in April and parties go until sunrise. Locals know the best restaurants are always one block off the Strip.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,890/mo
$1,731/mo
$1,159/mo less than San Diego (67%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$451k
$560k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$6,602/mo
Las Vegas has $1,934/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
210 days
122 fewer than San Diego
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
104 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Las Vegas has 104 more days above 95°F each year than San Diego.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
75 / 100
80 / 100
5.0 pts ahead of San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
133 routes
78 more direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
2.3M metro
San Diego has 20.2x fewer events per month than Las Vegas.
the verdict
2
San Diego
categories won
6
Las Vegas
categories won
Las Vegas wins on money and lifestyle. San Diego has the edge on weather.
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