$100k a year, no longer in Grand Rapids
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 each month than Grand Rapids ran you
Almost a wash on cost. The case for Allentown is about what you'd do there, not what you'd save.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
12% more expensive than Grand Rapids(vs $1,620/mo)
3.07%
$98/mo less in state tax than Grand Rapids
vs 4.25% in Grand Rapids
$6,269/mo
$90 less than Grand Rapids
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
2% more expensive than Grand Rapids
vs $353k in Grand Rapids
874k
vs 1.2M in Grand Rapids
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Grand Rapids barely cracks 151 pleasant ones.
Noticeably quieter than Grand Rapids. About 61% fewer events on a typical month.
73/100
30% higher than Grand Rapids
vs 56/100 in Grand Rapids
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
11% lower than Grand Rapids
vs 97/100 in Grand Rapids
9
55% fewer than Grand Rapids
vs 20 nonstops in Grand Rapids
if allentown appeals, also worth a look:
compare allentown with:
