In a new study, SmartAsset identified the most paycheck friendly places in the country. Paycheck friendliness was determined by comparing income taxes, purchasing power, unemployment and income growth in counties across the U.S.
While Mecklenburg County only ranked #13 on the list, Cabarrus County came in at #4 and Union County topped the list.
For a more detailed look at the top counties in North Carolina, check out the table below:
| Rank | County, State | Semi-Monthly Paycheck | Purchasing Power | Unemployment Rate | Income Growth | Paycheck Friendliness index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union, NC | $1,594 | 1.96 | 4.0% | 4.0% | 57.08 |
| 2 | Wake, NC | $1,594 | 1.92 | 4.1% | 3.9% | 56.53 |
| 3 | Orange, NC | $1,594 | 1.75 | 3.7% | 4.6% | 56.24 |
| 4 | Cabarrus, NC | $1,594 | 1.65 | 4.4% | 4.5% | 54.33 |
| 5 | Currituck, NC | $1,594 | 1.70 | 4.1% | 3.6% | 54.00 |
| 6 | Pender, NC | $1,594 | 1.53 | 4.4% | 5.2% | 53.99 |
| 7 | Davie, NC | $1,594 | 1.63 | 4.4% | 4.0% | 53.55 |
| 8 | Chatham, NC | $1,594 | 1.64 | 3.9% | 3.2% | 53.23 |
| 9 | Carteret, NC | $1,594 | 1.54 | 4.0% | 3.9% | 52.96 |
| 10 | Watauga, NC | $1,594 | 1.26 | 4.0% | 6.0% | 52.83 |
Additional details on the study, including methodology and an interactive map, can be found here.