$100k salary, packing up from Birmingham
changea dispatch from
boulder
CO
40.01°N
105.27°W
Boulder is the Flatirons rising right behind town, the Pearl Street Mall pedestrian shopping, and a population that runs more, climbs more, and bikes more than basically any other American city. CU keeps it young, the foothills keep it active, and the food scene leans organic-virtuous. The access to the Rockies is unmatched and the sunshine is relentless, and locals invest in the city like it's a lifestyle, not just an address.
the verdict
the monthly cost of moving past Birmingham
Boulder costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$2,216/mo
57% more expensive than Birmingham(vs $1,407/mo)
4.4%
$50/mo less in state tax than Birmingham
vs 5% in Birmingham
$5,751/mo
$759 less than Birmingham
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$783k
201% more expensive than Birmingham
vs $261k in Birmingham
327k
vs 1.2M in Birmingham
field notes, weather & such.
178
pleasant days a year, in boulder.
Birmingham only manages 171 of those. Winter shows up, though: 42 days below 20° vs Birmingham's 4.
Noticeably quieter than Birmingham. About 93% fewer events on a typical month.
79/100
30% higher than Birmingham
vs 61/100 in Birmingham
Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 23.2 mi.
84/100
6% higher than Birmingham
vs 79/100 in Birmingham
169
745% more than Birmingham
vs 20 nonstops in Birmingham
compare boulder with:
