Chelsea, MA 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.
Chelsea
62.7
#1829 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Chelsea leads in walk score (81 vs 28). Hickory leads in crime level (11.2 vs 26.8). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 34.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chelsea, MA | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1829) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 38,319 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $531,983 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $71,051 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 34.1 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 81 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | R+38.0 |
D-
62.7 Score
Chelsea, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$531,983
Population
38,319
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
81
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 →