with $100k coming in, swapping out of Grand Rapids

change
Spartanburg, SC cityscape

instead of grand rapids

Spartanburg

sc · metro 383k

photo: Jenny Gregg / pexels

a dispatch from

spartanburg

SC

34.95°N

81.93°W

Spartanburg is the Upstate of South Carolina, with rolling foothills, peach orchards (yes, South Carolina actually grows more peaches than Georgia in some years), and the largest BMW manufacturing plant in the world just outside town. The downtown's been revitalizing with breweries and restaurants. Wofford and Converse keep college energy in town. The Blue Ridge is right there.

metro383k

in our guides

#5

of 10

Affordable cities for outdoor lovers

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities to leave San Francisco for

read the guide
#7

of 10

Most vibrant and affordable cities

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities for retirees who love the outdoors

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for mild four-season weather

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities to leave Los Angeles for

read the guide
#3

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Austin

read the guide
#3

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Denver

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities to live in the South

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best small cities to live in

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities to leave Phoenix for

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities to leave Denver for

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities to leave Austin for

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities on the East Coast

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities for a $75k salary

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities to buy a home

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities to live in the Southeast

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities in the Carolinas

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for a $60k salary

read the guide
#1

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Boise

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$1

the monthly premium over Grand Rapids

Almost a wash on cost. The case for Spartanburg is about what you'd do there, not what you'd save.
landable, recorded on the spartanburg entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

11% cheaper than Grand Rapids(vs $1,620/mo)

02state income tax

6.5%

$188/mo more in state tax than Grand Rapids

vs 4.25% in Grand Rapids

03after rent

$6,358/mo

$1 less than Grand Rapids

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$277k

21% cheaper than Grand Rapids

vs $353k in Grand Rapids

05metro size

383k

vs 1.2M in Grand Rapids

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

191

pleasant days a year, in spartanburg.

Grand Rapids barely cracks 151 pleasant ones.

Grand Rapids hosts 4.6× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

68/100

21% higher than Grand Rapids

vs 56/100 in Grand Rapids

Closest outdoor draw: Croft State Park, 5 mi.

·walk score®

77/100

21% lower than Grand Rapids

vs 97/100 in Grand Rapids

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

20

0% fewer than Grand Rapids

vs 20 nonstops in Grand Rapids

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as spartanburg:

see also

greenville

better weather

turn the page

see also

hickory

$166/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

richmond

similar overall lifestyle

turn the page

compare spartanburg with:

GreenvilleHickoryRichmond