$100k salary, packing up from Spokane

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Hickory, NC cityscape

if you left spokane

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

$289

the monthly premium over Spokane

Hickory costs more than Spokane, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
landable, recorded on the hickory entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

6% cheaper than Spokane(vs $1,520/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$375/mo more in state tax than Spokane

vs 0% in Spokane

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$289 less than Spokane

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

04a house here

$268k

36% cheaper than Spokane

vs $420k in Spokane

05metro size

370k

vs 600k in Spokane

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Spokane only logs 164 pleasant days.

Noticeably quieter than Spokane. About 49% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

21% lower than Spokane

vs 81/100 in Spokane

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

·walk score®

70/100

23% lower than Spokane

vs 91/100 in Spokane

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Spokane

vs 10 nonstops in Spokane

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