on $100k a year, leaving Wilmington
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 Wilmington
Lancaster gives you room Wilmington doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
a quick ledger.
$1,517/mo
9% cheaper than Wilmington(vs $1,675/mo)
3.07%
$119/mo less in state tax than Wilmington
vs 4.5% in Wilmington
$6,561/mo
$278 more than Wilmington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$384k
14% cheaper than Wilmington
vs $448k in Wilmington
559k
vs 467k in Wilmington
field notes, weather & such.
158
pleasant days a year, in lancaster.
Wilmington gets 235 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine. Winter has bite, though: 25 days drop below 20° vs Wilmington's 1.
Comparable to Wilmington for events and concerts.
63/100
17% higher than Wilmington
vs 54/100 in Wilmington
Closest outdoor draw: Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, 18.3 mi.
97/100
45% higher than Wilmington
vs 67/100 in Wilmington
1
80% fewer than Wilmington
vs 5 nonstops in Wilmington
neighbors of lancaster on the map of tradeoffs:
compare lancaster with:
