same $100k income, fresh start from Washington
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
under Washington, every month
Not a fortune, but real money. Salem runs cheaper than Washington month over month.
a quick ledger.
$1,642/mo
30% cheaper than Washington(vs $2,352/mo)
8.75%
$21/mo more in state tax than Washington
vs 8.5% in Washington
$5,962/mo
$689 more than Washington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$452k
28% cheaper than Washington
vs $626k in Washington
437k
vs 6.3M in Washington
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in salem.
Washington only manages 177 of those.
But the calendar thins out: Washington stays 161.0× busier.
69/100
21% lower than Washington
vs 87/100 in Washington
Closest outdoor draw: Mt. Hood National Forest, 46.2 mi.
88/100
10% lower than Washington
vs 98/100 in Washington
0
100% fewer than Washington
vs 160 nonstops in Washington
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