on $100k a year, leaving Lakeland

change
Spartanburg, SC cityscape

swapping out of lakeland

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

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$141

the monthly premium over Lakeland

Barely costlier than Lakeland. If Spartanburg pulls you in, it's the life it offers, not the price tag.
landable, recorded on the spartanburg entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

22% cheaper than Lakeland(vs $1,834/mo)

02state income tax

6.5%

$542/mo more in state tax than Lakeland

vs 0% in Lakeland

03after rent

$6,358/mo

$141 less than Lakeland

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

04a house here

$277k

8% cheaper than Lakeland

vs $301k in Lakeland

05metro size

383k

vs 818k in Lakeland

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

191

pleasant days a year, in spartanburg.

Lakeland gets 206 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine.

About as much going on as in Lakeland.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

68/100

42% higher than Lakeland

vs 48/100 in Lakeland

Closest outdoor draw: Croft State Park, 5 mi.

·walk score®

77/100

17% higher than Lakeland

vs 66/100 in Lakeland

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

20

71% fewer than Lakeland

vs 68 nonstops in Lakeland

04 · see also

cities that play in spartanburg's register:

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