same $100k income, fresh start from Santa Maria
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
lighter monthly cost than Santa Maria
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
46% cheaper than Santa Maria(vs $3,352/mo)
3.07%
$519/mo less in state tax than Santa Maria
vs 9.3% in Santa Maria
$6,269/mo
$2,063 more than Santa Maria
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
66% cheaper than Santa Maria
vs $1059k in Santa Maria
874k
vs 441k in Santa Maria
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Santa Maria edges ahead with 337 pleasant days. A real winter, not a brutal one: 32 days under 20°, vs 0 in Santa Maria.
73/100
24% higher than Santa Maria
vs 59/100 in Santa Maria
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
1% lower than Santa Maria
vs 87/100 in Santa Maria
9
350% more than Santa Maria
vs 2 nonstops in Santa Maria
cities that play in allentown's register:
compare allentown with:
