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→Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a three-mile boardwalk, a giant Neptune statue keeping watch, and Atlantic surf that's warm in August and gentle in September. The military presence (Navy and Air Force) gives the city a structured, welcoming feel. False Cape and Back Bay nature areas are wild marshland just south of the high-rises. October on the boardwalk might be the prettiest month on the East Coast.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,890/mo
$1,819/mo
$1,071/mo less than San Diego (59%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$375k
$636k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
5.8%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$6,035/mo
Virginia Beach has $1,367/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
211 days
121 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
2 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
57 / 100
18.0 pts behind San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
17 routes
38 fewer direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
1.8M metro
San Diego has 5.8x more events per month than Virginia Beach.
the verdict
3
San Diego
categories won
4
Virginia Beach
categories won
Virginia Beach wins on money. San Diego has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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