with $100k coming in, swapping out of Santa Maria
changea dispatch from
raleigh
NC
35.78°N
78.64°W
Raleigh is the third leg of the Research Triangle, full of oaks (its nickname is the City of Oaks), state museums that are all free, and a downtown that's grown up fast without losing its quiet edges. NC State pumps young energy in, the food scene is sneaky-good, and the surrounding pine forests make summer evenings smell incredible. Beaches are two hours east, mountains three hours west.
in our guides
the verdict
below Santa Maria's monthly cost
Raleigh sits well below Santa Maria on cost. Same paycheck, a noticeably lighter month.
a quick ledger.
$1,663/mo
50% cheaper than Santa Maria(vs $3,352/mo)
4.5%
$400/mo less in state tax than Santa Maria
vs 9.3% in Santa Maria
$6,295/mo
$2,089 more than Santa Maria
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$440k
58% cheaper than Santa Maria
vs $1059k in Santa Maria
1.5M
vs 441k in Santa Maria
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in raleigh.
Santa Maria gets 337 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine.
58/100
2% lower than Santa Maria
vs 59/100 in Santa Maria
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 9.9 mi.
97/100
11% higher than Santa Maria
vs 87/100 in Santa Maria
39
1850% more than Santa Maria
vs 2 nonstops in Santa Maria
if raleigh appeals, also worth a look:
