$100k salary, packing up from Montgomery

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

if you left montgomery

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

$17

the monthly premium over Montgomery

Hickory edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

4% more expensive than Montgomery(vs $1,376/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$42/mo less in state tax than Montgomery

vs 5% in Montgomery

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$17 less than Montgomery

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

04a house here

$268k

27% more expensive than Montgomery

vs $212k in Montgomery

05metro size

370k

vs 385k in Montgomery

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Montgomery only manages 181 of those.

Noticeably quieter than Montgomery. About 41% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

45% higher than Montgomery

vs 44/100 in Montgomery

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

·walk score®

70/100

15% higher than Montgomery

vs 61/100 in Montgomery

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Montgomery

vs 3 nonstops in Montgomery

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