same $100k income, fresh start from Washington
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
lighter monthly cost than Washington
Not a fortune, but real money. Springfield runs cheaper than Washington month over month.
a quick ledger.
$1,913/mo
19% cheaper than Washington(vs $2,352/mo)
5%
$292/mo less in state tax than Washington
vs 8.5% in Washington
$6,004/mo
$731 more than Washington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$373k
41% cheaper than Washington
vs $626k in Washington
460k
vs 6.3M in Washington
field notes, weather & such.
147
pleasant days a year, in springfield.
Washington actually gets more: 177 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 47 days below 20° vs Washington's 11.
But the calendar thins out: Washington stays 26.8× busier.
66/100
24% lower than Washington
vs 87/100 in Washington
Closest outdoor draw: New England National Scenic Trail, 13.7 mi.
87/100
11% lower than Washington
vs 98/100 in Washington
26
84% fewer than Washington
vs 160 nonstops in Washington
neighbors of springfield on the map of tradeoffs:
compare springfield with:
