01 · the cities
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→Ocala
Ocala is the horse capital of the world (it actually has more thoroughbred horses than Lexington, Kentucky), with rolling hills of horse farms unlike anywhere else in Florida. Silver Springs (one of the largest artesian springs in the world) is right next door, with glass-bottom boats and clear blue water. Surprisingly hilly. Slower than the coastal cities, with a quietly strong equestrian economy.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,508/mo
$1,616/mo
$108/mo more than Winston-Salem (7%)
Median home price
Median home price
$283k
$277k
$7k less than Winston-Salem
State income tax
State income tax
4.5%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,450/mo
$6,717/mo
Ocala has $267/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
186 days
208 days
22 more than Winston-Salem
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
8 days
15 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
6 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Ocala has 7 more days above 95°F each year than Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem drops below 20°F on 6 more days per year than Ocala.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
54 / 100
62 / 100
8.0 pts ahead of Winston-Salem
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
0 routes
5 routes
5 more direct routes than Winston-Salem
Metro size
Metro size
696k metro
410k metro
the verdict
2
Winston-Salem
categories won
7
Ocala
categories won
Ocala leads on money and weather and lifestyle and wins overall.
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