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→Miami
Miami is Spanish before it's English, salsa before it's small talk, and a cortadito before it's a coffee. South Beach Art Deco glows pink at night, Wynwood is a city-sized mural, and the Cuban sandwiches in Little Havana could end fights. Summer is bath-warm ocean and ceiling fans turned up high, and October feels like everywhere else's perfect August. Bring linen.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,890/mo
$2,665/mo
$225/mo less than San Diego (8%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$565k
$446k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$5,668/mo
Miami has $1,000/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
272 days
60 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
0 days
days below 20°F per year
San Diego edges ahead on pleasant days, but both cities have comparable comfort overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
75 / 100
77 / 100
2.0 pts ahead of San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
167 routes
112 more direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
6.2M metro
San Diego has 5.7x fewer events per month than Miami.
the verdict
1
San Diego
categories won
6
Miami
categories won
Miami wins this comparison, leading on money and lifestyle.
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