with $100k coming in, swapping out of Ann Arbor

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

instead of ann arbor

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

$627

less monthly outlay than Ann Arbor

The gap is real. Hickory costs noticeably less than Ann Arbor, every month.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

31% cheaper than Ann Arbor(vs $2,082/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$21/mo more in state tax than Ann Arbor

vs 4.25% in Ann Arbor

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$627 more than Ann Arbor

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

04a house here

$268k

38% cheaper than Ann Arbor

vs $429k in Ann Arbor

05metro size

370k

vs 366k in Ann Arbor

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Ann Arbor only manages 154 of those.

A real upgrade on things to do: 1.4× Ann Arbor's pace.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

14% higher than Ann Arbor

vs 56/100 in Ann Arbor

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

·walk score®

70/100

28% lower than Ann Arbor

vs 97/100 in Ann Arbor

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Ann Arbor

vs 135 nonstops in Ann Arbor

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