Hickory, NC vs Medford, MA
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.
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Medford
67.7
#1394 nationally
Medford leads in walk score (68 vs 28). Medford leads in crime level (4.9 vs 11.2). Medford leads in median household income ($114,863 vs $58,251).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hickory, NC | Medford, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1056) | 67.7 (#1394) |
| Population | 44,415 | 58,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,293 | $842,743 |
| Median Household Income | $58,251 | $114,863 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 31.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | 4.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 161 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+38.0 | D+39.5 |
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 →
D+
67.7 Score
Medford, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$842,743
Population
58,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
68
Northeast
View Medford, MA →