$100k salary, packing up from South Bend

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Hickory, NC cityscape

from south bend

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

$168

the monthly cost of moving past South Bend

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

3% more expensive than South Bend(vs $1,391/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$125/mo more in state tax than South Bend

vs 3% in South Bend

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$168 less than South Bend

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

04a house here

$268k

16% more expensive than South Bend

vs $230k in South Bend

05metro size

370k

vs 324k in South Bend

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

South Bend only manages 157 of those.

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

64/100

21% higher than South Bend

vs 53/100 in South Bend

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

·walk score®

70/100

15% lower than South Bend

vs 82/100 in South Bend

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than South Bend

vs 9 nonstops in South Bend

04 · see also

cities that play in hickory's register:

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