$100k salary, packing up from Buffalo
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
the monthly premium over Buffalo
Allentown runs a little pricier than Buffalo. The case has to be about something other than rent.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
32% more expensive than Buffalo(vs $1,374/mo)
3.07%
$232/mo less in state tax than Buffalo
vs 5.85% in Buffalo
$6,269/mo
$203 less than Buffalo
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
28% more expensive than Buffalo
vs $280k in Buffalo
874k
vs 1.2M in Buffalo
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Buffalo barely cracks 152 pleasant ones.
Lighter on events: Buffalo packs 2.5× more into a month.
73/100
11% higher than Buffalo
vs 66/100 in Buffalo
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
5% lower than Buffalo
vs 91/100 in Buffalo
9
55% fewer than Buffalo
vs 20 nonstops in Buffalo
same energy as allentown, different zip code:
compare allentown with:
