$100k salary, packing up from Anchorage
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
the monthly premium over Anchorage
Allentown costs more than Anchorage, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
6% more expensive than Anchorage(vs $1,713/mo)
3.07%
$256/mo more in state tax than Anchorage
vs 0% in Anchorage
$6,269/mo
$351 less than Anchorage
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
18% cheaper than Anchorage
vs $438k in Anchorage
874k
vs 401k in Anchorage
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Anchorage only logs 93 pleasant days.
73/100
7% higher than Anchorage
vs 68/100 in Anchorage
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
9% higher than Anchorage
vs 79/100 in Anchorage
9
74% fewer than Anchorage
vs 34 nonstops in Anchorage
neighbors of allentown on the map of tradeoffs:
compare allentown with:
