$100k salary, packing up from Birmingham
changea dispatch from
salem
OR
44.94°N
123.03°W
Salem is the Oregon state capital, smaller and quieter than Portland (less than an hour north), with the Willamette River running through downtown and the surrounding Willamette Valley producing some of the best Pinot Noir in the world. The state capitol is topped by a gold-leaf pioneer statue. Cherry blossoms line the riverfront every spring. Affordable and underrated.
the verdict
the monthly premium over Birmingham
Salem costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$1,642/mo
17% more expensive than Birmingham(vs $1,407/mo)
8.75%
$312/mo more in state tax than Birmingham
vs 5% in Birmingham
$5,962/mo
$548 less than Birmingham
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$452k
74% more expensive than Birmingham
vs $261k in Birmingham
437k
vs 1.2M in Birmingham
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in salem.
Birmingham only manages 171 of those.
99% fewer events than Birmingham. The pace eases up.
69/100
13% higher than Birmingham
vs 61/100 in Birmingham
Closest outdoor draw: Mt. Hood National Forest, 46.2 mi.
88/100
11% higher than Birmingham
vs 79/100 in Birmingham
0
100% fewer than Birmingham
vs 20 nonstops in Birmingham
cities that play in salem's register:
compare salem with:
