$100k salary, packing up from Reno

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

if you left reno

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

$99

below Reno's monthly cost

Cost barely budges between Hickory and Reno. 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

25% cheaper than Reno(vs $1,908/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$375/mo more in state tax than Reno

vs 0% in Reno

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$99 more than Reno

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

04a house here

$268k

53% cheaper than Reno

vs $574k in Reno

05metro size

370k

vs 565k in Reno

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Reno actually gets more: 201 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than Reno. About 82% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

10% lower than Reno

vs 71/100 in Reno

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

·walk score®

70/100

26% lower than Reno

vs 95/100 in Reno

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Reno

vs 13 nonstops in Reno

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as hickory:

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