Columbia, TN 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.
Columbia
63.7
#1743 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Hickory leads in crime level (11.2 vs 15.7). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 26.5 min). Hickory leads in walk score (28 vs 24).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, TN | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.7 (#1743) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 47,445 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $376,699 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $58,110 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 26.5 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 15.7 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+44.6 | R+38.0 |
D
63.7 Score
Columbia, TN
Small Tennessee city with local appeal
Median Home
$376,699
Population
47,445
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Southeast
View Columbia, TN →
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 →