Buffalo, NY vs Hickory, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Buffalo
74.2
#613 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 28). Hickory leads in median household income ($58,251 vs $42,891). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 22.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 276,807 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 11.2 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+38.0 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
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C-
70.8 Score
Hickory, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$298,293
Population
44,415
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Hickory, NC →