$100k a year, no longer in Charleston
changea dispatch from
harrisburg
PA
40.26°N
76.88°W
Harrisburg is the Pennsylvania state capital sitting on the Susquehanna River, with a gorgeous Beaux-Arts capitol building (Theodore Roosevelt called it the handsomest building he ever saw). City Island in the middle of the river is a small park with minor league baseball. Hershey is 15 minutes east (yes, that Hershey). Slower-paced than its metro neighbors.
in our guides
of 10
Best affordable cities to retire
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave New York for
read the guideof 10
Best cities on the East Coast
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave Boston for
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave DC for
read the guideof 10
Best cities for creatives and artists
read the guideof 10
Affordable alternatives to Boise
read the guidethe verdict
under Charleston, every month
Harrisburg runs on a fraction of Charleston's budget. Same paycheck, real lifestyle upgrade.
a quick ledger.
$1,446/mo
27% cheaper than Charleston(vs $1,987/mo)
3.07%
$286/mo less in state tax than Charleston
vs 6.5% in Charleston
$6,632/mo
$827 more than Charleston
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$309k
28% cheaper than Charleston
vs $432k in Charleston
606k
vs 849k in Charleston
field notes, weather & such.
152
pleasant days a year, in harrisburg.
Charleston edges ahead with 212 pleasant days. A real winter, not a brutal one: 33 days under 20°, vs 0 in Charleston.
Things to do run about even with Charleston.
69/100
3% higher than Charleston
vs 67/100 in Charleston
Closest outdoor draw: Gifford Pinchot State Park, 12.7 mi.
93/100
1% higher than Charleston
vs 92/100 in Charleston
12
40% fewer than Charleston
vs 20 nonstops in Charleston
if harrisburg appeals, also worth a look:
