$100k salary, packing up from Washington
changea dispatch from
philadelphia
PA
39.95°N
75.17°W
Philadelphia is cheesesteaks (the Pat's vs. Geno's argument is mostly theater), the Italian Market, and the Liberty Bell sitting modestly in a glass pavilion. Murals are everywhere (the city runs the largest public art program in the country). The Eagles fans climbing light poles is folklore for a reason. The food scene punches way above its weight and the bar scene knows it.
the verdict
under Washington, every month
The gap is real. Philadelphia costs noticeably less than Washington, every month.
a quick ledger.
$1,869/mo
21% cheaper than Washington(vs $2,352/mo)
6.82%
$140/mo less in state tax than Washington
vs 8.5% in Washington
$5,896/mo
$623 more than Washington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$393k
37% cheaper than Washington
vs $626k in Washington
6.2M
vs 6.3M in Washington
field notes, weather & such.
173
pleasant days a year, in philadelphia.
Washington edges ahead with 177 pleasant days.
Things to do run about even with Washington.
69/100
21% lower than Washington
vs 87/100 in Washington
Closest outdoor draw: Evansburg State Park, 20.3 mi.
100/100
2% higher than Washington
vs 98/100 in Washington
122
24% fewer than Washington
vs 160 nonstops in Washington
neighbors of philadelphia on the map of tradeoffs:
