same $100k income, fresh start from Akron

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Hickory, NC cityscape

next stop after akron

Hickory

nc · metro 370k

photo: Mark Stebnicki / pexels

a dispatch from

hickory

NC

35.73°N

81.34°W

Hickory is North Carolina's furniture capital, with the Hickory Furniture Mart and the surrounding factories shaping the local economy. The downtown has come back nicely with breweries and a walkable feel. The Blue Ridge foothills start just outside town. Lake Hickory is right there for boating. Cheaper than the bigger NC cities, with mountain access an hour away.

metro370k

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$218

pricier each month than Akron

You'd pay for Hickory. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

14% more expensive than Akron(vs $1,259/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$43/mo more in state tax than Akron

vs 3.99% in Akron

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$218 less than Akron

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

04a house here

$268k

13% more expensive than Akron

vs $236k in Akron

05metro size

370k

vs 698k in Akron

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Akron only manages 152 of those.

Akron hosts 1.7× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

2% lower than Akron

vs 65/100 in Akron

Closest outdoor draw: South Mountains State Park, 21.5 mi.

·walk score®

70/100

8% lower than Akron

vs 76/100 in Akron

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Akron

vs 11 nonstops in Akron

04 · see also

if hickory appeals, also worth a look:

see also

spartanburg

more flight options

turn the page

see also

roanoke

better park access

turn the page

see also

lancaster

$37/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare hickory with:

SpartanburgRoanokeLancaster