with $100k coming in, swapping out of San Diego
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 San Diego's monthly cost
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
37% cheaper than San Diego(vs $2,890/mo)
3.07%
$519/mo less in state tax than San Diego
vs 9.3% in San Diego
$6,269/mo
$1,601 more than San Diego
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
64% cheaper than San Diego
vs $1010k in San Diego
874k
vs 3.3M in San Diego
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
San Diego actually gets more: 332 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs San Diego's 0.
Lighter on events: San Diego packs 6.4× more into a month.
73/100
3% lower than San Diego
vs 75/100 in San Diego
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
13% lower than San Diego
vs 99/100 in San Diego
9
84% fewer than San Diego
vs 55 nonstops in San Diego
if allentown appeals, also worth a look:
compare allentown with:
