$100k salary, packing up from Seattle
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 Seattle
Almost a wash on cost. The case for Salem is about what you'd do there, not what you'd save.
a quick ledger.
$1,642/mo
25% cheaper than Seattle(vs $2,193/mo)
8.75%
$729/mo more in state tax than Seattle
vs 0% in Seattle
$5,962/mo
$178 less than Seattle
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$452k
43% cheaper than Seattle
vs $791k in Seattle
437k
vs 4.0M in Seattle
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in salem.
Seattle barely cracks 182 pleasant ones.
100% fewer events than Seattle. The pace eases up.
69/100
26% lower than Seattle
vs 93/100 in Seattle
Closest outdoor draw: Mt. Hood National Forest, 46.2 mi.
88/100
10% lower than Seattle
vs 98/100 in Seattle
0
100% fewer than Seattle
vs 90 nonstops in Seattle
neighbors of salem on the map of tradeoffs:
compare salem with:
