on $100k a year, leaving Durham

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

swapping out of durham

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

$250

under Durham, every month

Hickory gives you room Durham doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

15% cheaper than Durham(vs $1,684/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

vs 4.5% in Durham

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$250 more than Durham

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

04a house here

$268k

35% cheaper than Durham

vs $415k in Durham

05metro size

370k

vs 609k in Durham

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Durham keeps to 178 pleasant days a year.

Durham hosts 1.8× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

28% higher than Durham

vs 50/100 in Durham

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

·walk score®

70/100

12% lower than Durham

vs 80/100 in Durham

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Durham

vs 39 nonstops in Durham

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