01 · the cities
Santa Maria
Santa Maria has its own style of barbecue (tri-tip cooked over red oak with pinquito beans and salsa), which is a legitimate regional tradition that locals will fight you about. The surrounding Santa Maria Valley is becoming serious wine country (especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). It's quieter and more affordable than its central coast neighbors. The Pacific is right there.
full dispatch→Lansing
Lansing is the Michigan state capital, Michigan State (East Lansing is essentially a continuation), and old auto industry roots that have softened into a quieter mid-sized city. The Grand River curves through downtown. The Capitol building is one of the prettier state capitols you'll see. Cheap, friendly, and a quick drive to Lake Michigan beaches.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,352/mo
$1,259/mo
$2,093/mo less than Santa Maria (166%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.1M
$244k
$815k less than Santa Maria
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,206/mo
$6,720/mo
Lansing has $2,514/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
337 days
153 days
184 fewer than Santa Maria
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
52 days
days below 20°F per year
Lansing drops below 20°F on 52 more days per year than Santa Maria.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
57 / 100
2.0 pts behind Santa Maria
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
6 routes
4 more direct routes than Santa Maria
Metro size
Metro size
441k metro
473k metro
the verdict
3
Santa Maria
categories won
5
Lansing
categories won
Lansing wins on money. Santa Maria has the edge on weather.
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