$100k salary, packing up from Baton Rouge

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

next stop after baton rouge

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

$198

the monthly cost of moving past Baton Rouge

A small premium for Hickory. Worth it only if the rest of the city earns it back.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

5% more expensive than Baton Rouge(vs $1,361/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$125/mo more in state tax than Baton Rouge

vs 3% in Baton Rouge

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$198 less than Baton Rouge

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

04a house here

$268k

7% more expensive than Baton Rouge

vs $250k in Baton Rouge

05metro size

370k

vs 874k in Baton Rouge

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Baton Rouge only manages 187 of those.

About as much going on as in Baton Rouge.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

28% higher than Baton Rouge

vs 50/100 in Baton Rouge

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

·walk score®

70/100

7% lower than Baton Rouge

vs 75/100 in Baton Rouge

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Baton Rouge

vs 4 nonstops in Baton Rouge

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