01 · the cities
Albany
Albany is one of the oldest chartered cities in America (1686), with the New York state capitol building wearing every architectural style from Romanesque to Victorian on different sides. The Hudson River and the surrounding Adirondacks and Berkshires give it a serious nature backbone. Five colleges feed in young energy, and Lark Street is the local main drag for food and bars. Quieter than its neighbors, and full of layers.
full dispatch→Allentown
Allentown is the heart of the Lehigh Valley, with old industrial bones turning into a quietly resilient mid-sized city. The Lehigh River runs past, the historic downtown has been steadily finding its footing with breweries and restaurants in the old buildings, and the surrounding farmland is gorgeous. It's an hour and change from both Philly and NYC. Cheaper than both, by a lot.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,643/mo
$1,809/mo
$166/mo more than Albany (9%)
Median home price
Median home price
$361k
$359k
State income tax
State income tax
5.9%
3.1%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,203/mo
$6,269/mo
Allentown has $66/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
147 days
157 days
10 more than Albany
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
2 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
62 days
32 days
days below 20°F per year
Albany drops below 20°F on 30 more days per year than Allentown.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
72 / 100
73 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
19 routes
9 routes
10 fewer direct routes than Albany
Metro size
Metro size
905k metro
874k metro
Albany and Allentown have similar event volume.
the verdict
2
Albany
categories won
4
Allentown
categories won
Allentown wins on money and weather. Albany has the edge on lifestyle.
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