$100k a year, no longer in Des Moines
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 cost of moving past Des Moines
Lancaster edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
a quick ledger.
$1,517/mo
20% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)
3.07%
$244/mo less in state tax than Des Moines
vs 6% in Des Moines
$6,561/mo
$4 less than Des Moines
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$384k
28% more expensive than Des Moines
vs $300k in Des Moines
559k
vs 737k in Des Moines
field notes, weather & such.
158
pleasant days a year, in lancaster.
Des Moines only manages 151 of those.
Lighter on events: Des Moines packs 3.1× more into a month.
63/100
15% higher than Des Moines
vs 55/100 in Des Moines
Closest outdoor draw: Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, 18.3 mi.
97/100
24% higher than Des Moines
vs 78/100 in Des Moines
1
94% fewer than Des Moines
vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines
neighbors of lancaster on the map of tradeoffs:
compare lancaster with:
