on $100k a year, leaving Milwaukee

change
Washington, DC cityscape

if you left milwaukee

Washington

dc · metro 6.3M

a dispatch from

washington

DC

38.91°N

77.04°W

Washington DC is power dressed in seersucker. The monuments glow at night, the Smithsonian museums are all free (yes, all of them), and the cherry blossoms in April make even cynical lobbyists pause for a selfie. It's one of the most international cities in America (embassies from everywhere), with food scenes to match. The vibe shifts every four years and the architecture stays magnificent through all of it.

metro6.3M

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$1,034

the monthly premium over Milwaukee

Washington is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
landable, recorded on the washington entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$2,352/mo

56% more expensive than Milwaukee(vs $1,504/mo)

02state income tax

8.5%

$186/mo more in state tax than Milwaukee

vs 6.27% in Milwaukee

03after rent

$5,273/mo

$1,034 less than Milwaukee

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$626k

59% more expensive than Milwaukee

vs $394k in Milwaukee

05metro size

6.3M

vs 1.6M in Milwaukee

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

177

pleasant days a year, in washington.

Milwaukee only logs 149 pleasant days.

A real upgrade on things to do: 2.3× Milwaukee's pace.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

43% higher than Milwaukee

vs 61/100 in Milwaukee

Closest outdoor draw: George Washington Memorial Parkway, 6.2 mi.

·walk score®

98/100

0% lower than Milwaukee

vs 98/100 in Milwaukee

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

160

433% more than Milwaukee

vs 30 nonstops in Milwaukee

04 · see also

if washington appeals, also worth a look:

compare washington with: