with $100k coming in, swapping out of Charlotte
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
below Charlotte's monthly cost
Allentown and Charlotte land close on cost. The reasons to move are about how you'd live, not what you'd save.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
5% more expensive than Charlotte(vs $1,728/mo)
3.07%
$119/mo less in state tax than Charlotte
vs 4.5% in Charlotte
$6,269/mo
$39 more than Charlotte
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
8% cheaper than Charlotte
vs $391k in Charlotte
874k
vs 2.8M in Charlotte
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Charlotte actually gets more: 200 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs Charlotte's 3.
Lighter on events: Charlotte packs 4.2× more into a month.
73/100
43% higher than Charlotte
vs 51/100 in Charlotte
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
9% lower than Charlotte
vs 94/100 in Charlotte
9
94% fewer than Charlotte
vs 141 nonstops in Charlotte
cities that play in allentown's register:
compare allentown with:
