$100k salary, packing up from Wilmington
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
under Wilmington, every month
Money-wise it's a wash. The case for Raleigh is everything that isn't rent.
a quick ledger.
$1,663/mo
1% cheaper than Wilmington(vs $1,675/mo)
4.5%
vs 4.5% in Wilmington
$6,295/mo
$12 more than Wilmington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$440k
2% cheaper than Wilmington
vs $448k in Wilmington
1.5M
vs 467k in Wilmington
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in raleigh.
Wilmington has the edge here, logging 235 pleasant days a year.
A real upgrade on things to do: 2.4× Wilmington's pace.
58/100
7% higher than Wilmington
vs 54/100 in Wilmington
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 9.9 mi.
97/100
45% higher than Wilmington
vs 67/100 in Wilmington
39
680% more than Wilmington
vs 5 nonstops in Wilmington
if raleigh appeals, also worth a look:
