same $100k income, fresh start from Ann Arbor
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
cheaper each month than Ann Arbor
Not a fortune, but real money. Allentown runs cheaper than Ann Arbor month over month.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
13% cheaper than Ann Arbor(vs $2,082/mo)
3.07%
$98/mo less in state tax than Ann Arbor
vs 4.25% in Ann Arbor
$6,269/mo
$372 more than Ann Arbor
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
16% cheaper than Ann Arbor
vs $429k in Ann Arbor
874k
vs 366k in Ann Arbor
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Ann Arbor barely cracks 154 pleasant ones.
A real upgrade on things to do: 1.9× Ann Arbor's pace.
73/100
30% higher than Ann Arbor
vs 56/100 in Ann Arbor
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
11% lower than Ann Arbor
vs 97/100 in Ann Arbor
9
93% fewer than Ann Arbor
vs 135 nonstops in Ann Arbor
same energy as allentown, different zip code:
compare allentown with:
