$100k a year, no longer in Santa Rosa

change
Wilmington, NC cityscape

from santa rosa

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

$1,322

under Santa Rosa, every month

Wilmington is the kind of cheap that changes the math. Same salary, a different life on the other side.
landable, recorded on the wilmington entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,675/mo

36% cheaper than Santa Rosa(vs $2,597/mo)

02state income tax

4.5%

$400/mo less in state tax than Santa Rosa

vs 9.3% in Santa Rosa

03after rent

$6,283/mo

$1,322 more than Santa Rosa

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

04a house here

$448k

45% cheaper than Santa Rosa

vs $817k in Santa Rosa

05metro size

467k

vs 482k in Santa Rosa

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

235

pleasant days a year, in wilmington.

Santa Rosa has the edge here, logging 254 pleasant days a year.

A real upgrade on things to do: 20.0× Santa Rosa's pace.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

54/100

22% lower than Santa Rosa

vs 69/100 in Santa Rosa

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

·walk score®

67/100

32% lower than Santa Rosa

vs 98/100 in Santa Rosa

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

5

25% more than Santa Rosa

vs 4 nonstops in Santa Rosa

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as wilmington:

compare wilmington with: