$100k a year, no longer in Tampa
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 Tampa
Allentown edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
a quick ledger.
$1,809/mo
9% cheaper than Tampa(vs $1,996/mo)
3.07%
$256/mo more in state tax than Tampa
vs 0% in Tampa
$6,269/mo
$68 less than Tampa
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$359k
4% cheaper than Tampa
vs $374k in Tampa
874k
vs 3.3M in Tampa
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in allentown.
Tampa has the edge here, logging 243 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs Tampa's 0.
But the calendar thins out: Tampa stays 1.8× busier.
73/100
18% higher than Tampa
vs 62/100 in Tampa
Closest outdoor draw: Lehigh Gorge State Park, 23.6 mi.
86/100
7% lower than Tampa
vs 92/100 in Tampa
9
87% fewer than Tampa
vs 68 nonstops in Tampa
neighbors of allentown on the map of tradeoffs:
compare allentown with:
