Hickory, NC vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 28). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 26.7 min). Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $58,251).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hickory, NC | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1056) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 44,415 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,293 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $58,251 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+38.0 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →