Hickory, NC vs San Jose, CA
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
San Jose
63
#1807 nationally
San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $58,251). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 198). San Jose leads in walk score (51 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hickory, NC | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1056) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 44,415 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,293 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $58,251 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+38.0 | D+40.0 |
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
63 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →