with $100k coming in, swapping out of Salem

change
Spartanburg, SC cityscape

swapping out of salem

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

$396

lighter monthly cost than Salem

You'd feel the difference in Spartanburg. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Salem.
landable, recorded on the spartanburg entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,434/mo

13% cheaper than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)

02state income tax

6.5%

$187/mo less in state tax than Salem

vs 8.75% in Salem

03after rent

$6,358/mo

$396 more than Salem

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

04a house here

$277k

39% cheaper than Salem

vs $452k in Salem

05metro size

383k

vs 437k in Salem

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

191

pleasant days a year, in spartanburg.

Salem actually gets more: 201 pleasant days a year.

A month here packs 15.0× the events of Salem.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

68/100

1% lower than Salem

vs 69/100 in Salem

Closest outdoor draw: Croft State Park, 5 mi.

·walk score®

77/100

12% lower than Salem

vs 88/100 in Salem

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

20

0% fewer than Salem

vs 0 nonstops in Salem

04 · see also

neighbors of spartanburg on the map of tradeoffs:

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