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→Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is Moravian cookie traditions, old tobacco wealth (R.J. Reynolds), and Krispy Kreme's hometown (the original hot doughnut sign is still here). Old Salem is a living history Moravian village downtown. The food scene has picked up nicely, the arts scene leans on the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Slower-paced than its Triad neighbors. A little secret.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,890/mo
$1,508/mo
$1,382/mo less than San Diego (92%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$283k
$727k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$6,450/mo
Winston-Salem has $1,782/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
186 days
146 fewer than San Diego
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
8 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
6 days
days below 20°F per year
Winston-Salem has 8 more days above 95°F each year than San Diego. Winston-Salem drops below 20°F on 6 more days per year than San Diego.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
75 / 100
54 / 100
21.0 pts behind San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
0 routes
55 fewer direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
696k metro
the verdict
5
San Diego
categories won
4
Winston-Salem
categories won
San Diego wins on weather and lifestyle. Winston-Salem has the edge on money.
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