on $100k a year, leaving Tampa

change
Hickory, NC cityscape

swapping out of tampa

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.

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$187

under Tampa, every month

Cost barely budges between Hickory and Tampa. 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

28% cheaper than Tampa(vs $1,996/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$375/mo more in state tax than Tampa

vs 0% in Tampa

03after rent

$6,524/mo

$187 more than Tampa

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

04a house here

$268k

28% cheaper than Tampa

vs $374k in Tampa

05metro size

370k

vs 3.3M in Tampa

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

189

pleasant days a year, in hickory.

Tampa edges ahead with 243 pleasant days.

Tampa hosts 2.5× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

64/100

3% higher than Tampa

vs 62/100 in Tampa

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

·walk score®

70/100

24% lower than Tampa

vs 92/100 in Tampa

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Tampa

vs 68 nonstops in Tampa

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