What is a good hourly wage in East TN(essentially tri-cities)

[jabogitlu]

Cost of living isn't much better here than anywhere else. There are a few trade offs such as housing prices, land taxes - depending on where you come from. Don't let them pull that card too much, because living here isn't much cheaper.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by hmmhoyhoy

... here I make much more then 15 but transferring there has a pay cut due to cost of living

In that case really do some in depth research. Have you checked out some of the various COL calculators? CoL comparison calculator
Knoxville is the closest comparison, so it will be slightly off, but it will give you a fair idea of what you'll need to make in east TN to get a comparable lifestyle.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by hmmhoyhoy

I have a job offer. Same company I currently work for, same position just transferring within company to Gray. My HR hasn't decided on hourly pay yet, here I make much more then 15 but transferring there has a pay cut due to cost of living, so I will make at the lowest 15/hr

I don't think you have provided enough specifics, but here are some points.

1) Why would you pay at least several thousand dollars to move a family cross country to make less on the other end? Unless you are in imminent danger of losing your job, that seems stupid, no matter where you are from or going to. Big moves mean big expenses, not to mention the hassle.

2) What is your household income now and what do you expect it to be when you get here? This significant other needs to get a job if you come here ASAP. $15/hr is just $31,200 annually. You cannot support two people on this, much less with kids, comfortably without government assistance.

3) If you come here and the job does not work out, can you find an equivalent paying job as quickly as in Denver? My guess is probably not.

4) The cost of living is not as low as many people say. Taxes and housing will be your biggest savings. Food, clothing, dining, etc, are likely to cost the same or be even more expensive than Denver. You are low income and Tennessee's tax rate on sales will kill you.

You need to talk to a trusted financial planner in your area before you make this move.

[AppalachianAngler]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Cost of living isn't much better here than anywhere else. There are a few trade offs such as housing prices, land taxes - depending on where you come from. Don't let them pull that card too much, because living here isn't much cheaper.

I concur. Sure, it is cheaper than some large metro areas, or somewhere in Connecticut, but it is not that much difference between other places in the South (or even the Midwest, I would presume).

[TNGal78]

I agree with Emigrations. I work part time making a little over 13 per hour, husband makes a little over 20 per hour full time and we are wishing I can get upgraded to full time work.

There is a different opinion as to what living modest means, but we do live VERY modestly in my opinion.

Outsiders tend to think everything is so much cheaper "down here". It's not and sales tax is very high.

My sister in law moved to San Diego with her husband and kids because he got a wonderful job offer (six figure)....things are higher there but so is income.

It's all relative.

Some people move here expecting things to be cheaper than they are and they get really disapointed. I grew up here, it's all I have ever known. I like it here but the advice everybody gave me when I was growing up was "GET OUT, there is no future here". Sad , but just being honest.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by AppalachianAngler

I concur. Sure, it is cheaper than some large metro areas, or somewhere in Connecticut, but it is not that much difference between other places in the South (or even the Midwest, I would presume).

The upper Midwest (except probably Minneapolis and Chicago) actually is considerably cheaper in many respects than the Tri-Cities. I just moved back from Iowa and food ranged from probably 10%-40% cheaper, depending on items, and it was not taxed. Target's prices seemed more reasonable there too. Dining out, clothes, mall shopping, and gas are probably about even with Iowa. Rent and home prices are probably cheaper in the Tri-Cities. My auto insurance is considerably more in the Tri-Cities. Wages in the Midwest are often much higher than here and should far more than offset the net tax/COL increases.

One thing I've noticed from living in the Tri-Cities but working in a remote southwest VA town is that food and other basic goods become more expensive the more remote you get. The Food City in Lebanon VA is WAY more expensive than the ones in Kingsport. Someone can live way out in the boonies in east TN/southwest VA thinking they are getting "cheap" housing and property taxes, but then they just pay higher food prices, higher gas bills to go anywhere worthwhile, etc, and often lack basic services like city water, reliable cell phone service, and broadband internet. If you want to live in the country, do it because you like the country, not because you believe it to be inexpensive. It is mind-boggling to me how many threads come up where people are wanting to move from CA, NY, FL, or some other "big" state because TN is "cheap," and have absolutely no clue what they are getting into on the job/wage front and other big issues. It's beyond Pollyanna-ish.

[soldn2slavery]

First off, I think moving some place only because it may be cheaper or for a bigger salary is a mistake, based on my own experiences. If you don't like where you live, it doesn't matter how much or how little you make.

Second, I live in the Midwest, in a small town in N.E. Wisconsin, and I'd like to share my living costs for comparison. We're a family of 4 living in a 130-year-old, 3-bed, 1.5 bath house with single detached garage on a 8,000 sq. ft. lot that's appraised at 85,000. Currently, our taxes are $2500/year, which includes about $500/year for street and sidewalk improvements the city made a few years ago. I think the extra $500 is done next year. Our electric is about 150/month, water 150/month, gas averages 50/month. Groceries are about 150-200/week (we have two teenagers, one boy, one girl). Gasoline is currently 3.68/gallon. Sales tax on everything but food is 5%. No tax on food. I think state income tax is 5-7%, roughly. I think that about covers everything.

Cheers!
Patrick