same $100k income, fresh start from Fayetteville
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
more expensive each month than Fayetteville
You'd pay for Allentown. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
22% more expensive than Fayetteville(vs $1,477/mo)
3.07%
$119/mo less in state tax than Fayetteville
vs 4.5% in Fayetteville
$6,269/mo
$212 less than Fayetteville
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
39% more expensive than Fayetteville
vs $258k in Fayetteville
874k
vs 392k in Fayetteville
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Fayetteville has the edge here, logging 193 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs Fayetteville's 3.
Nights and weekends fill up faster. 1.8× more on the calendar than Fayetteville.
73/100
43% higher than Fayetteville
vs 51/100 in Fayetteville
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
13% higher than Fayetteville
vs 76/100 in Fayetteville
9
125% more than Fayetteville
vs 4 nonstops in Fayetteville
compare allentown with:
