$100k salary, packing up from Raleigh

change
Wilmington, NC cityscape

instead of raleigh

Wilmington

nc · metro 467k

a dispatch from

wilmington

NC

34.23°N

77.95°W

Wilmington has been called 'Hollywood East' for the volume of film and TV produced here (Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, and dozens of features). The historic riverfront on the Cape Fear is genuinely charming, and Wrightsville Beach is 15 minutes away. The food scene punches above its weight, especially seafood. UNCW keeps it youthful. A coastal city with both beach and downtown charm.

metro467k

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$12

the monthly premium over Raleigh

Wilmington edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
landable, recorded on the wilmington entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,675/mo

1% more expensive than Raleigh(vs $1,663/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

vs 4.5% in Raleigh

03after rent

$6,283/mo

$12 less than Raleigh

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

04a house here

$448k

2% more expensive than Raleigh

vs $440k in Raleigh

05metro size

467k

vs 1.5M in Raleigh

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

235

pleasant days a year, in wilmington.

Raleigh only manages 201 of those.

But the calendar thins out: Raleigh stays 2.4× busier.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

54/100

7% lower than Raleigh

vs 58/100 in Raleigh

Closest outdoor draw: Lake Waccamaw State Park, 32.5 mi.

·walk score®

67/100

31% lower than Raleigh

vs 97/100 in Raleigh

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

5

87% fewer than Raleigh

vs 39 nonstops in Raleigh

04 · see also

cities that play in wilmington's register:

compare wilmington with: