same $100k income, fresh start from Austin
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
more expensive each month than Austin
Allentown runs a little pricier than Austin. The case has to be about something other than rent.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
14% more expensive than Austin(vs $1,583/mo)
3.07%
$256/mo more in state tax than Austin
vs 0% in Austin
$6,269/mo
$481 less than Austin
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
17% cheaper than Austin
vs $433k in Austin
874k
vs 2.5M in Austin
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Austin edges ahead with 170 pleasant days. Winter has bite, though: 32 days drop below 20° vs Austin's 1.
Austin hosts 4.4× more events.
73/100
30% higher than Austin
vs 56/100 in Austin
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
13% lower than Austin
vs 99/100 in Austin
9
79% fewer than Austin
vs 42 nonstops in Austin
compare allentown with:
