same $100k income, fresh start from Worcester
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 Worcester
Not a fortune, but real money. Lancaster runs cheaper than Worcester month over month.
a quick ledger.
$1,517/mo
29% cheaper than Worcester(vs $2,140/mo)
3.07%
$161/mo less in state tax than Worcester
vs 5% in Worcester
$6,561/mo
$784 more than Worcester
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$384k
21% cheaper than Worcester
vs $486k in Worcester
559k
vs 867k in Worcester
field notes, weather & such.
158
pleasant days a year, in lancaster.
Worcester only manages 148 of those.
But the calendar thins out: Worcester stays 2.0× busier.
63/100
7% higher than Worcester
vs 59/100 in Worcester
Closest outdoor draw: Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, 18.3 mi.
97/100
8% higher than Worcester
vs 90/100 in Worcester
1
50% fewer than Worcester
vs 2 nonstops in Worcester
same energy as lancaster, different zip code:
compare lancaster with:
