$100k a year, no longer in Salem
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
under Salem, every month
Lancaster is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,517/mo
8% cheaper than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)
3.07%
$473/mo less in state tax than Salem
vs 8.75% in Salem
$6,561/mo
$599 more than Salem
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$384k
15% cheaper than Salem
vs $452k in Salem
559k
vs 437k in Salem
field notes, weather & such.
158
pleasant days a year, in lancaster.
Salem edges ahead with 201 pleasant days. A real winter, not a brutal one: 25 days under 20°, vs 1 in Salem.
A month here packs 15.0× the events of Salem.
63/100
9% lower than Salem
vs 69/100 in Salem
Closest outdoor draw: Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, 18.3 mi.
97/100
10% higher than Salem
vs 88/100 in Salem
1
0% fewer than Salem
vs 0 nonstops in Salem
compare lancaster with:
