$100k a year, no longer in Philadelphia
changea dispatch from
grand rapids
MI
42.96°N
85.67°W
Grand Rapids has won Beer City USA multiple times, hosts ArtPrize (one of the world's largest open art competitions every fall), and built itself on furniture (Steelcase, Herman Miller). The Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park is a sleeper world-class attraction. Downtown is walkable, the surrounding farmland is gorgeous in autumn, and Lake Michigan beaches are 30 minutes west. Quietly excellent.
the verdict
less monthly outlay than Philadelphia
Grand Rapids is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,620/mo
13% cheaper than Philadelphia(vs $1,869/mo)
4.25%
$214/mo less in state tax than Philadelphia
vs 6.82% in Philadelphia
$6,359/mo
$463 more than Philadelphia
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$353k
10% cheaper than Philadelphia
vs $393k in Philadelphia
1.2M
vs 6.2M in Philadelphia
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in grand rapids.
Philadelphia actually gets more: 173 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 50 days below 20° vs Philadelphia's 21.
63% fewer events than Philadelphia. The pace eases up.
56/100
19% lower than Philadelphia
vs 69/100 in Philadelphia
Closest outdoor draw: White Pine Trail State Park, 5.4 mi.
97/100
3% lower than Philadelphia
vs 100/100 in Philadelphia
20
84% fewer than Philadelphia
vs 122 nonstops in Philadelphia
cities that play in grand rapids's register:
