01 · the cities
Syracuse
Syracuse averages around 120 inches of snow per year, which is the most of any major U.S. city, and locals wear it like a badge. The Carrier Dome (now JMA Wireless Dome) is the largest on-campus arena in the country. The food scene leans Italian (Salt City was an Italian immigrant hub) and excellent. The Finger Lakes are right next door. Bring boots.
full dispatch→Des Moines
Des Moines is the Iowa State Fair every August (think butter cows, deep-fried everything, and the political circus of every presidential cycle), insurance industry stability, and a downtown that's grown into a genuinely good food and brewery scene. The East Village neighborhood is the cool kid pocket. The whole city is bikeable. Friendly, affordable, and chronically underestimated.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,619/mo
$1,268/mo
$351/mo less than Syracuse (28%)
Median home price
Median home price
$254k
$300k
$45k more than Syracuse
State income tax
State income tax
5.9%
6.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,227/mo
$6,565/mo
Des Moines has $338/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
142 days
151 days
9 more than Syracuse
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
7 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
53 days
55 days
days below 20°F per year
Des Moines has 6 more days above 95°F each year than Syracuse.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
55 / 100
4.0 pts behind Syracuse
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
16 routes
17 routes
Metro size
Metro size
653k metro
737k metro
Syracuse has 1.5x more events per month than Des Moines.
the verdict
4
Syracuse
categories won
3
Des Moines
categories won
Syracuse leads on lifestyle and wins overall.
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