on $100k a year, leaving New York
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
lighter monthly cost than New York
In Lancaster, rent stops being the headline. The cost gap shows up every month without you trying.
a quick ledger.
$1,517/mo
54% cheaper than New York(vs $3,329/mo)
3.07%
$638/mo less in state tax than New York
vs 10.73% in New York
$6,561/mo
$2,451 more than New York
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$384k
48% cheaper than New York
vs $739k in New York
559k
vs 19.5M in New York
field notes, weather & such.
158
pleasant days a year, in lancaster.
New York gets 171 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine.
Lighter on events: New York packs 260.5× more into a month.
63/100
19% lower than New York
vs 78/100 in New York
Closest outdoor draw: Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, 18.3 mi.
97/100
3% lower than New York
vs 100/100 in New York
1
100% fewer than New York
vs 215 nonstops in New York
compare lancaster with:
