$100k salary, packing up from Atlanta
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
less monthly outlay than Atlanta
The gap is real. Allentown costs noticeably less than Atlanta, every month.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
0% more expensive than Atlanta(vs $1,814/mo)
3.07%
$202/mo less in state tax than Atlanta
vs 5.49% in Atlanta
$6,269/mo
$207 more than Atlanta
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
7% cheaper than Atlanta
vs $386k in Atlanta
874k
vs 6.3M in Atlanta
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Atlanta has the edge here, logging 204 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 32 days below 20° here, 2 in Atlanta.
Atlanta hosts 8.9× more events.
73/100
9% higher than Atlanta
vs 67/100 in Atlanta
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
8% lower than Atlanta
vs 93/100 in Atlanta
9
96% fewer than Atlanta
vs 217 nonstops in Atlanta
compare allentown with:
