on $100k a year, leaving Indianapolis

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Hickory, NC cityscape

from indianapolis

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.

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$48

the monthly premium over Indianapolis

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% cheaper than Indianapolis(vs $1,511/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$125/mo more in state tax than Indianapolis

vs 3% in Indianapolis

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$48 less than Indianapolis

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

04a house here

$268k

9% cheaper than Indianapolis

vs $296k in Indianapolis

05metro size

370k

vs 2.1M in Indianapolis

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Indianapolis keeps to 174 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than Indianapolis. About 79% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

3% higher than Indianapolis

vs 62/100 in Indianapolis

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

·walk score®

70/100

29% lower than Indianapolis

vs 99/100 in Indianapolis

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Indianapolis

vs 35 nonstops in Indianapolis

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