on $100k a year, leaving Chattanooga

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

instead of chattanooga

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

$285

pricier each month than Chattanooga

Hickory costs more than Chattanooga, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

6% cheaper than Chattanooga(vs $1,524/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$375/mo more in state tax than Chattanooga

vs 0% in Chattanooga

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$285 less than Chattanooga

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

04a house here

$268k

17% cheaper than Chattanooga

vs $322k in Chattanooga

05metro size

370k

vs 580k in Chattanooga

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Chattanooga only logs 167 pleasant days.

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

64/100

7% lower than Chattanooga

vs 69/100 in Chattanooga

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

·walk score®

70/100

15% lower than Chattanooga

vs 82/100 in Chattanooga

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Chattanooga

vs 8 nonstops in Chattanooga

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as hickory:

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