on $100k a year, leaving New Orleans

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

swapping out of new orleans

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

$53

below New Orleans's monthly cost

Cost barely budges between Hickory and New Orleans. Pick this one for the texture of the days, not the math.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

11% cheaper than New Orleans(vs $1,612/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$125/mo more in state tax than New Orleans

vs 3% in New Orleans

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$53 more than New Orleans

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

04a house here

$268k

3% more expensive than New Orleans

vs $259k in New Orleans

05metro size

370k

vs 962k in New Orleans

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

New Orleans has the edge here, logging 235 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than New Orleans. About 80% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

16% higher than New Orleans

vs 55/100 in New Orleans

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

·walk score®

70/100

29% lower than New Orleans

vs 98/100 in New Orleans

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than New Orleans

vs 39 nonstops in New Orleans

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