same $100k income, fresh start from Columbus
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
pricier each month than Columbus
Allentown costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
20% more expensive than Columbus(vs $1,511/mo)
3.07%
$77/mo less in state tax than Columbus
vs 3.99% in Columbus
$6,269/mo
$221 less than Columbus
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
3% more expensive than Columbus
vs $350k in Columbus
874k
vs 2.2M in Columbus
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Columbus has the edge here, logging 171 pleasant days a year.
But the calendar thins out: Columbus stays 4.3× busier.
73/100
28% higher than Columbus
vs 57/100 in Columbus
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
1% higher than Columbus
vs 85/100 in Columbus
9
72% fewer than Columbus
vs 32 nonstops in Columbus
cities that play in allentown's register:
compare allentown with:
