Holy infrastructure! Can your city bounce back from a supervillain attack?

Batman and Superman are poised to tackle the villainous Doomsday at theaters this weekend. And if 2013’s Man of Steel was any indication, they’ll be taking out large portions of the city during the course of their disagreement. So how well would real estate in your city survive a supervillain attack?

Well, real estate site Trulia wanted to know the answer, so it compiled data on which U.S. cities would best bounce back from supervillainous mayhem, as well as which cities would be most amenable to superheroes – and which would provide fertile stomping grounds for super-powered baddies.

Trulia made its determination by considering factors like the number of tall buildings and the density of banks and jewelry stores for villains to rob. In determining which cities would best survive a superheroic slugfest, Trulia considered residents’ active lifestyles (the better to outrun flying debris) as well as access to medical services and home repair.

So where’s the safest place to be when Lex Luthor and Brainiac inevitably team up to topple the government? According to Trulia, Richmond, Va., takes the cake, followed closely by Denver, Colo.

Duck and cover! The best cities for surviving supervillain attack

1. Richmond, Va.
2. Denver, Colo.
3. Nashville, Tenn.
4. Austin, Texas
5. San Francisco, Calif.
6. Allentown, Penn.
7. Ventura County, Calif.
8. Colorado Springs, Colo.
9. Charlotte, N.C.
10. Washington, D.C.

Trulia also ranked the top five cities for both heroes and villains. In determining which cities would best serve a supervillain’s nefarious plans, the company looked at population density (more innocent civilians to victimize), number of places to rob, and tree cover – the better to hide from heroes flying overhead.

And although Richmond and Washington are well-prepared to bounce back from supervillainy, they also made the list of best places for supervillains to operate from. While D.C. – perhaps unsurprisingly – tops the list of supervillain-friendly municipalities, Trulia recommends Richmond for the villain on a budget.

“Homes in the nation’s capital fetch a median sales price of $533,000, while homes for sale in Richmond cap out at a median sales price of just $179,000,” Trulia says. “With prices like that, a supervillain could afford to buy a top-secret compound for their entire crew.”

Bow down before me! Top cities for supervillains

1. Washington, D.C.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
3. San Francisco, Calif.
4. Richmond, Va.
5. Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Va.

And what about cities superheroes would prefer? To determine that, Trulia looked at the number of mass media jobs (for mild-mannered reporters looking to moonlight in tights), tall buildings, law enforcement, and population density – more people to save, after all.
The winner? San Francisco – although, as Trulia says, “With skyrocketing rents and a $1 million median sales price for homes, only Bruce Wayne (ahem, Batman) could afford to call San Francisco home.”

Up, up, and away! Top cities for superheroes

1. San Francisco, Calif.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
3. Denver, Colo.
4. Washington, D.C.
5. Oakland, Calif.