on $100k a year, leaving Philadelphia
changea dispatch from
birmingham
AL
33.52°N
86.80°W
Birmingham was built on steel and reshaped by the civil rights movement, and you can feel both stories in the city. The Civil Rights Institute is essential, the food scene (Highlands Bar and Grill, Hot and Hot Fish Club, plenty more) is one of the most acclaimed in the South. The Vulcan statue, the largest cast-iron statue in the world, looks down on the city from Red Mountain. Younger than its reputation suggests.
the verdict
under Philadelphia, every month
Birmingham gives you room Philadelphia doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
a quick ledger.
$1,407/mo
25% cheaper than Philadelphia(vs $1,869/mo)
5%
$152/mo less in state tax than Philadelphia
vs 6.82% in Philadelphia
$6,510/mo
$614 more than Philadelphia
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$261k
34% cheaper than Philadelphia
vs $393k in Philadelphia
1.2M
vs 6.2M in Philadelphia
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in birmingham.
Philadelphia edges ahead with 173 pleasant days. Hot stretches show up, though: 28 days above 95° here, 2 in Philadelphia.
51% fewer events than Philadelphia. The pace eases up.
61/100
12% lower than Philadelphia
vs 69/100 in Philadelphia
Closest outdoor draw: Oak Mountain State Park, 12.8 mi.
79/100
21% lower than Philadelphia
vs 100/100 in Philadelphia
20
84% fewer than Philadelphia
vs 122 nonstops in Philadelphia
neighbors of birmingham on the map of tradeoffs:
compare birmingham with:
