$100k salary, packing up from Manchester

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

swapping out of manchester

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

$283

less monthly outlay than Manchester

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

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

31% cheaper than Manchester(vs $2,092/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$375/mo more in state tax than Manchester

vs 0% in Manchester

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$283 more than Manchester

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

04a house here

$268k

51% cheaper than Manchester

vs $548k in Manchester

05metro size

370k

vs 427k in Manchester

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Manchester keeps to 154 pleasant days a year.

On par with Manchester for events and shows.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

3% higher than Manchester

vs 62/100 in Manchester

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

·walk score®

70/100

29% lower than Manchester

vs 98/100 in Manchester

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Manchester

vs 13 nonstops in Manchester

04 · see also

same energy as hickory, different zip code:

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