$100k a year, no longer in Chicago
changea dispatch from
springfield
MA
42.10°N
72.59°W
Springfield is where basketball was invented in 1891 (the Basketball Hall of Fame is right here), and where Dr. Seuss grew up (there's a sculpture garden downtown). The city's old industrial buildings are slowly coming back, and the surrounding Pioneer Valley is one of the prettiest stretches in New England. UMass is just up the road. Quieter than Boston, much cheaper.
in our guides
the verdict
less monthly outlay than Chicago
Springfield is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,913/mo
12% cheaper than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)
5%
$4/mo more in state tax than Chicago
vs 4.95% in Chicago
$6,004/mo
$253 more than Chicago
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$373k
2% more expensive than Chicago
vs $365k in Chicago
460k
vs 9.3M in Chicago
field notes, weather & such.
147
pleasant days a year, in springfield.
Chicago has the edge here, logging 153 pleasant days a year.
Lighter on events: Chicago packs 215.8× more into a month.
66/100
6% lower than Chicago
vs 70/100 in Chicago
Closest outdoor draw: New England National Scenic Trail, 13.7 mi.
87/100
13% lower than Chicago
vs 100/100 in Chicago
26
88% fewer than Chicago
vs 217 nonstops in Chicago
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