with $100k coming in, swapping out of Austin
changea dispatch from
lancaster
PA
40.04°N
76.30°W
Lancaster is the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country, with horse-drawn buggies on rural roads and the Central Market (the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country, since the 1730s). The food scene is sneaky-strong, the surrounding farmland is gorgeous, and the city's downtown has come back nicely. Whoopie pies, shoofly pies, and sticky buns are mandatory.
the verdict
the monthly premium over Austin
A small premium for Lancaster. Worth it only if the rest of the city earns it back.
a quick ledger.
$1,517/mo
4% cheaper than Austin(vs $1,583/mo)
3.07%
$256/mo more in state tax than Austin
vs 0% in Austin
$6,561/mo
$189 less than Austin
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$384k
11% cheaper than Austin
vs $433k in Austin
559k
vs 2.5M in Austin
field notes, weather & such.
158
pleasant days a year, in lancaster.
Austin actually gets more: 170 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 25 days below 20° vs Austin's 1.
Lighter on events: Austin packs 8.0× more into a month.
63/100
13% higher than Austin
vs 56/100 in Austin
Closest outdoor draw: Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, 18.3 mi.
97/100
2% lower than Austin
vs 99/100 in Austin
1
98% fewer than Austin
vs 42 nonstops in Austin
neighbors of lancaster on the map of tradeoffs:
compare lancaster with:
