$100k salary, packing up from Columbia
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
below Columbia's monthly cost
The gap is real. Lancaster costs noticeably less than Columbia, every month.
a quick ledger.
$1,517/mo
2% cheaper than Columbia(vs $1,551/mo)
3.07%
$286/mo less in state tax than Columbia
vs 6.5% in Columbia
$6,561/mo
$320 more than Columbia
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$384k
51% more expensive than Columbia
vs $255k in Columbia
559k
vs 857k in Columbia
field notes, weather & such.
158
pleasant days a year, in lancaster.
Columbia actually gets more: 189 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 25 days below 20° vs Columbia's 2.
On par with Columbia for events and shows.
63/100
15% higher than Columbia
vs 55/100 in Columbia
Closest outdoor draw: Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, 18.3 mi.
97/100
14% higher than Columbia
vs 85/100 in Columbia
1
90% fewer than Columbia
vs 10 nonstops in Columbia
cities that play in lancaster's register:
compare lancaster with:
