$100k salary, packing up from Detroit
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 cost of moving past Detroit
Allentown costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
23% more expensive than Detroit(vs $1,472/mo)
3.07%
$98/mo less in state tax than Detroit
vs 4.25% in Detroit
$6,269/mo
$238 less than Detroit
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
37% more expensive than Detroit
vs $262k in Detroit
874k
vs 4.3M in Detroit
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Detroit has the edge here, logging 160 pleasant days a year.
70% fewer events than Detroit. The pace eases up.
73/100
55% higher than Detroit
vs 47/100 in Detroit
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
13% lower than Detroit
vs 99/100 in Detroit
9
93% fewer than Detroit
vs 135 nonstops in Detroit
if allentown appeals, also worth a look:
compare allentown with:
