on $100k a year, leaving Salinas
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
under Salinas, every month
Allentown is the kind of cheap that changes the math. Same salary, a different life on the other side.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
36% cheaper than Salinas(vs $2,813/mo)
3.07%
$519/mo less in state tax than Salinas
vs 9.3% in Salinas
$6,269/mo
$1,524 more than Salinas
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
58% cheaper than Salinas
vs $862k in Salinas
874k
vs 431k in Salinas
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Salinas actually gets more: 335 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs Salinas's 0.
73/100
3% higher than Salinas
vs 71/100 in Salinas
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
9% higher than Salinas
vs 79/100 in Salinas
9
50% more than Salinas
vs 6 nonstops in Salinas
cities that play in allentown's register:
compare allentown with:
