Youngstown named worst-paying city in the country (Cleveland, Warren: insurance, condo)

[TheYO]

No. 1 Worst-Paying City: Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Penn. - The Cities Where People Earn The Biggest and Smallest Paychecks - Forbes

Median Pay: $45,400.

Good thing the cost of living is so low!

From the outside, it sounds like a pretty bad distinction. But when you factor in how stupid cheap is it to live in the area, it's really not that bad. That $45,400 in Youngstown will go a lot further than $73,500 in the San Francisco area, the second highest paying city.

[CortlandGirl79]

I live in the Youngstown/Warren metro. Last year I made $34k and I live quite well, but w/in my means. I don't have cable and I don't have a lot of money for clothes or going out to dinner, but that's because I choose to spend my money on things that are more important to me.

Last summer I bought a 1650 sq/ft condo w/2br (plus a loft) 2.5 baths and a 2 car garage for $110k. My condo is totally updated in a really nice area w/schools that are rated excellent w/distinction. Crime is practically non-existent here save some random car break-ins and every once in a while there is a burglary or domestic violence incident. I also drive a 2.5 year old vehicle. I don't have a lot of money left over every month, but I do contribute 7% to my 401k and once my car is paid off I'll be saving for my next vehicle and hopefully spending what's left on fun.

It is very possible to buy a condo that needs cosmetic updating in my highly desirable town for around $80 or $90k. A 4br 2.5 house that's updated can be had for between $160k and $200k. You can have similar homes in the surrounding area for even less depending on the town and school district. There are nice parts of Warren where you can buy a really nice updated house for $80k-$100k.

[Dayton Sux]

^
how much/month is your utilities?

[CortlandGirl79]

My gas bill was $60 2 months ago (includes heat, hot water, and stove) and $70 last month. My electric bill is between $50 and $150 depending on if I'm running the central air during the hottest part of the summer. Water and sewage is about $40/quarter.

[CortlandGirl79]

I also pay $110/month for a condo fee that takes care of my snow removal, outside insurance, mulching, edging, mowing and shrub trimming.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Yay! Another Forbes list.

[warren zee]

Originally Posted by TheYO

No. 1 Worst-Paying City: Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Penn. - The Cities Where People Earn The Biggest and Smallest Paychecks - Forbes

Median Pay: $45,400.

Good thing the cost of living is so low!

From the outside, it sounds like a pretty bad distinction. But when you factor in how stupid cheap is it to live in the area, it's really not that bad. That $45,400 in Youngstown will go a lot further than $73,500 in the San Francisco area, the second highest paying city.

We are moving from Wilkes Barre, Pa and it is number 5 on the list. I think it should be number one hands down. For two years I have been looking for work and not one bite. I had only one interview and it was from a state job in Montour County, Pa. Once we move to Warren, I will be going to my second interview in Cleveland. It seems that the job market is way above Wilkes Barre. At least you can get interviews.
I do have a Bachelors Degree and had my own business for 20 years. I think age could also be part of it, but I can't see Youngstown-Warren being worse off than Wilkes Barre.

[SorryIMovedBack]

4170 Morefield Road, Hermitage PA - Trulia
^ That sold, I believe, for $65,000. In Hermitage.

[CortlandGirl79]

Ya, there's a ton of houses like that around here, they need some serious updating and sit on the market for a very long time until they finally price them right enough for someone to want to remodel/update.

[warren zee]

Originally Posted by SorryIMovedBack

4170 Morefield Road, Hermitage PA - Trulia
^ That sold, I believe, for $65,000. In Hermitage.

That's actually a really cute house. In Wilkes-Barre it would be more like 100 and wages are not that different. Back in NYS where we lived it would be about 350 thousand. And a 35 thousand a year job would be just under 50, Taxes? 5 to 7 grand a year.