Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Hickory is a mid-sized city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 42,059 inhabitants. The majority of Hickory residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Hickory is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Hickory could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Hickory and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Hickory to North Carolina and the national average.
Using data and statistics Hickory has received a livability score of 70 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 77th percentile when compared to all other cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Hickory scores well for cost of living (A) and housing (A+) On a more negative note, Hickory does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Hickory can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Hickory meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Hickory. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Hickory are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Hickory come in at $340,678, which is 17.7% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Hickory, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 14.6% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Hickory | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.3% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.7% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.4% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.2% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.6% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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