$100k a year, no longer in Albany
changea dispatch from
allentown
PA
40.60°N
75.49°W
Allentown is the heart of the Lehigh Valley, with old industrial bones turning into a quietly resilient mid-sized city. The Lehigh River runs past, the historic downtown has been steadily finding its footing with breweries and restaurants in the old buildings, and the surrounding farmland is gorgeous. It's an hour and change from both Philly and NYC. Cheaper than both, by a lot.
the verdict
under Albany, every month
Cost barely budges between Allentown and Albany. Pick this one for the texture of the days, not the math.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
10% more expensive than Albany(vs $1,643/mo)
3.07%
$232/mo less in state tax than Albany
vs 5.85% in Albany
$6,269/mo
$66 more than Albany
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
1% cheaper than Albany
vs $361k in Albany
874k
vs 905k in Albany
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Albany barely cracks 147 pleasant ones.
A similar weekend lineup to Albany.
73/100
1% higher than Albany
vs 72/100 in Albany
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
5% lower than Albany
vs 91/100 in Albany
9
53% fewer than Albany
vs 19 nonstops in Albany
same energy as allentown, different zip code:
compare allentown with:
