01 · the cities
Naples
Naples brings wealthy retirees to the Gulf coast for genuinely some of the prettiest beaches in Florida, and the sunsets at the pier are a community ritual (everyone gathers, no one talks). The downtown along Fifth Avenue is pastel and breezy. Mercato has the upscale restaurants. The Everglades' western edge starts just south of town. Affluent, sunny, and quieter than the east-coast Florida cities.
full dispatch→Hickory
Hickory is North Carolina's furniture capital, with the Hickory Furniture Mart and the surrounding factories shaping the local economy. The downtown has come back nicely with breweries and a walkable feel. The Blue Ridge foothills start just outside town. Lake Hickory is right there for boating. Cheaper than the bigger NC cities, with mountain access an hour away.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,719/mo
$1,434/mo
$1,285/mo less than Naples (90%)
Median home price
Median home price
$679k
$268k
$411k less than Naples
State income tax
State income tax
0%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,614/mo
$6,524/mo
Hickory has $910/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
261 days
189 days
72 fewer than Naples
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
11 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
4 days
days below 20°F per year
Hickory has 11 more days above 95°F each year than Naples.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
58 / 100
64 / 100
6.0 pts ahead of Naples
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
34 routes
0 routes
34 fewer direct routes than Naples
Metro size
Metro size
404k metro
370k metro
the verdict
4
Naples
categories won
4
Hickory
categories won
Naples wins on weather, Hickory wins on money. Dead even.
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