$100k a year, no longer in Chicago
changea dispatch from
durham
NC
35.99°N
78.90°W
Durham is Duke University, old tobacco warehouses turned into incredible restaurants and breweries (the American Tobacco Campus is a model for adaptive reuse), and a food scene that punches way above its size (multiple James Beard winners). Bull City pride runs deep. The Eno River and Duke Gardens are right in town. It's more diverse, weirder, and more interesting than outsiders expect.
the verdict
under Chicago, every month
Durham is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,684/mo
22% cheaper than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)
4.5%
$38/mo less in state tax than Chicago
vs 4.95% in Chicago
$6,274/mo
$523 more than Chicago
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$415k
14% more expensive than Chicago
vs $365k in Chicago
609k
vs 9.3M in Chicago
field notes, weather & such.
178
pleasant days a year, in durham.
Chicago only logs 153 pleasant days.
Chicago hosts 37.0× more events.
50/100
29% lower than Chicago
vs 70/100 in Chicago
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 10.9 mi.
80/100
20% lower than Chicago
vs 100/100 in Chicago
39
82% fewer than Chicago
vs 217 nonstops in Chicago
if durham appeals, also worth a look:
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