$100k salary, packing up from New York
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 New York's monthly cost
In Allentown, rent stops being the headline. The cost gap shows up every month without you trying.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
46% cheaper than New York(vs $3,329/mo)
3.07%
$638/mo less in state tax than New York
vs 10.73% in New York
$6,269/mo
$2,159 more than New York
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
51% cheaper than New York
vs $739k in New York
874k
vs 19.5M in New York
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
New York has the edge here, logging 171 pleasant days a year.
New York hosts 144.7× more events.
73/100
6% lower than New York
vs 78/100 in New York
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
14% lower than New York
vs 100/100 in New York
9
96% fewer than New York
vs 215 nonstops in New York
cities that play in allentown's register:
compare allentown with:
