on $100k a year, leaving Asheville
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 Asheville, every month
A near-tie on cost. What separates Allentown is the life around the numbers.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
4% more expensive than Asheville(vs $1,738/mo)
3.07%
$119/mo less in state tax than Asheville
vs 4.5% in Asheville
$6,269/mo
$49 more than Asheville
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
16% cheaper than Asheville
vs $430k in Asheville
874k
vs 417k in Asheville
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Asheville edges ahead with 201 pleasant days. Winter has bite, though: 32 days drop below 20° vs Asheville's 13.
About as much going on as in Asheville.
73/100
11% higher than Asheville
vs 66/100 in Asheville
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
37% higher than Asheville
vs 63/100 in Asheville
9
13% more than Asheville
vs 8 nonstops in Asheville
same energy as allentown, different zip code:
compare allentown with:
