same $100k income, fresh start from Charleston
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
lighter monthly cost than Charleston
On paper, Salem and Charleston are twins. In practice they live very differently.
a quick ledger.
$1,642/mo
17% cheaper than Charleston(vs $1,987/mo)
8.75%
$187/mo more in state tax than Charleston
vs 6.5% in Charleston
$5,962/mo
$157 more than Charleston
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$452k
5% more expensive than Charleston
vs $432k in Charleston
437k
vs 849k in Charleston
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in salem.
Charleston has the edge here, logging 212 pleasant days a year.
98% fewer events than Charleston. The pace eases up.
69/100
3% higher than Charleston
vs 67/100 in Charleston
Closest outdoor draw: Mt. Hood National Forest, 46.2 mi.
88/100
4% lower than Charleston
vs 92/100 in Charleston
0
100% fewer than Charleston
vs 20 nonstops in Charleston
neighbors of salem on the map of tradeoffs:
compare salem with:
