on $100k a year, leaving Salem

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

from salem

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

$562

lighter monthly cost than Salem

Hickory gives you room Salem doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

13% cheaper than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$354/mo less in state tax than Salem

vs 8.75% in Salem

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$562 more than Salem

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

04a house here

$268k

41% cheaper than Salem

vs $452k in Salem

05metro size

370k

vs 437k in Salem

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Salem edges ahead with 201 pleasant days.

Nights and weekends fill up faster. 19.0× more on the calendar than Salem.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

7% lower than Salem

vs 69/100 in Salem

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

·walk score®

70/100

20% lower than Salem

vs 88/100 in Salem

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

0% fewer than Salem

vs 0 nonstops in Salem

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