with $100k coming in, swapping out of Baltimore
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 Baltimore
You'd feel the difference in Allentown. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Baltimore.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
3% cheaper than Baltimore(vs $1,868/mo)
3.07%
$427/mo less in state tax than Baltimore
vs 8.2% in Baltimore
$6,269/mo
$487 more than Baltimore
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
13% cheaper than Baltimore
vs $412k in Baltimore
874k
vs 2.8M in Baltimore
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Baltimore gets 168 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine.
Lighter on events: Baltimore packs 2.5× more into a month.
73/100
11% higher than Baltimore
vs 66/100 in Baltimore
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
12% lower than Baltimore
vs 98/100 in Baltimore
9
87% fewer than Baltimore
vs 72 nonstops in Baltimore
neighbors of allentown on the map of tradeoffs:
compare allentown with:
