Not really. IBM has a huge presence, still over 8500+ employees I think and has traditionally paid at the higher end of software developer salaries on average.

Not really. IBM has a huge presence, still over 8500+ employees I think and has traditionally paid at the higher end of software developer salaries on average. And until Nortel imploded this decade, they were also in the mix as a top-paying, always-hiring type of place here. Basically, SAS has always paid significantly less than others in the park (RTP). I think it's always been pushed as more of a lifestyle place - SAS is still privately held, so it was supposed to be a little more "sane" than big, quarterly focused IT companies. I do know folks who have worked there and have enjoyed significant work flexibility (eg, working from home from other states) but also have worked with ex-SAS'ers who left because of what I understand to be a laid-back to the point of not getting work done atmosphere. While cost of living is good in NC, here in the Raleigh/Durham/Cary/Chapel Hill area, it's definitely significantly higher than other places in NC. It's much cheaper than the biggest metro areas (SV, Boston, NY, DC) but after that it tends to run higher than you might think, particularly if you are shopping for homes in areas with "good" school districts.