on $100k a year, leaving Portland
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 Portland, every month
Birmingham gives you room Portland doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
a quick ledger.
$1,407/mo
21% cheaper than Portland(vs $1,781/mo)
5%
$312/mo less in state tax than Portland
vs 8.75% in Portland
$6,510/mo
$687 more than Portland
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$261k
54% cheaper than Portland
vs $562k in Portland
1.2M
vs 2.5M in Portland
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in birmingham.
Portland has the edge here, logging 178 pleasant days a year. Summer is real but not punishing: 28 days top 95° vs Portland's 7.
A similar weekend lineup to Portland.
61/100
30% lower than Portland
vs 87/100 in Portland
Closest outdoor draw: Oak Mountain State Park, 12.8 mi.
79/100
21% lower than Portland
vs 100/100 in Portland
20
65% fewer than Portland
vs 57 nonstops in Portland
if birmingham appeals, also worth a look:
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