same $100k income, fresh start from Tallahassee
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
more expensive each month than Tallahassee
Allentown costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
18% more expensive than Tallahassee(vs $1,527/mo)
3.07%
$256/mo more in state tax than Tallahassee
vs 0% in Tallahassee
$6,269/mo
$537 less than Tallahassee
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
24% more expensive than Tallahassee
vs $289k in Tallahassee
874k
vs 393k in Tallahassee
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Tallahassee actually gets more: 186 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs Tallahassee's 0.
A real upgrade on things to do: 13.5× Tallahassee's pace.
73/100
26% higher than Tallahassee
vs 58/100 in Tallahassee
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
12% higher than Tallahassee
vs 77/100 in Tallahassee
9
29% more than Tallahassee
vs 7 nonstops in Tallahassee
cities that play in allentown's register:
compare allentown with:
