$100k a year, no longer in Philadelphia

change
Buffalo, NY cityscape

next stop after philadelphia

Buffalo

ny · metro 1.2M

a dispatch from

buffalo

NY

42.89°N

78.88°W

Buffalo invented the wing (Anchor Bar, 1964, midnight, blue cheese, celery, not negotiable) and that should tell you most of what you need to know about the city's spirit. The Bills Mafia jumps through tables in subzero parking lots. Niagara Falls is 20 minutes away. The architecture (Sullivan, Wright, Olmsted parks) is genuinely world-class. The snow is part of the local mythology and the locals wear it proudly.

metro1.2M

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$576

less monthly outlay than Philadelphia

Buffalo is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
landable, recorded on the buffalo entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,374/mo

26% cheaper than Philadelphia(vs $1,869/mo)

02state income tax

5.85%

$81/mo less in state tax than Philadelphia

vs 6.82% in Philadelphia

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$576 more than Philadelphia

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$280k

29% cheaper than Philadelphia

vs $393k in Philadelphia

05metro size

1.2M

vs 6.2M in Philadelphia

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

152

pleasant days a year, in buffalo.

Philadelphia actually gets more: 173 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 42 days below 20° vs Philadelphia's 21.

Noticeably quieter than Philadelphia. About 63% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

66/100

4% lower than Philadelphia

vs 69/100 in Philadelphia

Closest outdoor draw: Darien Lakes State Park, 23.9 mi.

·walk score®

91/100

9% lower than Philadelphia

vs 100/100 in Philadelphia

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

20

84% fewer than Philadelphia

vs 122 nonstops in Philadelphia

04 · see also

if buffalo appeals, also worth a look:

compare buffalo with: