$100k a year, no longer in Portland
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
less monthly outlay than Portland
Allentown is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
2% more expensive than Portland(vs $1,781/mo)
3.07%
$473/mo less in state tax than Portland
vs 8.75% in Portland
$6,269/mo
$446 more than Portland
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
36% cheaper than Portland
vs $562k in Portland
874k
vs 2.5M in Portland
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Portland has the edge here, logging 178 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 32 days below 20° here, 2 in Portland.
Noticeably quieter than Portland. About 78% fewer events on a typical month.
73/100
16% lower than Portland
vs 87/100 in Portland
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
14% lower than Portland
vs 100/100 in Portland
9
84% fewer than Portland
vs 57 nonstops in Portland
neighbors of allentown on the map of tradeoffs:
compare allentown with:
