$100k salary, packing up from Tampa
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 premium over Tampa
You'd pay for Boulder. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
a quick ledger.
$2,216/mo
11% more expensive than Tampa(vs $1,996/mo)
4.4%
$367/mo more in state tax than Tampa
vs 0% in Tampa
$5,751/mo
$586 less than Tampa
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$783k
110% more expensive than Tampa
vs $374k in Tampa
327k
vs 3.3M in Tampa
field notes, weather & such.
178
pleasant days a year, in boulder.
Tampa actually gets more: 243 pleasant days a year. Bring a real coat. 42 days stay under 20°, well past Tampa's 0.
But the calendar thins out: Tampa stays 8.0× busier.
79/100
27% higher than Tampa
vs 62/100 in Tampa
Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 23.2 mi.
84/100
9% lower than Tampa
vs 92/100 in Tampa
169
149% more than Tampa
vs 68 nonstops in Tampa
neighbors of boulder on the map of tradeoffs:
compare boulder with:
