Alton, TX 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.
Alton
68.8
#1277 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Hickory leads in crime level (11.2 vs 22.9). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 29.2 min). Hickory leads in median household income ($58,251 vs $44,317).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, TX | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.8 (#1277) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 21,130 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $190,078 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $44,317 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 29.2 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 28 |
| Crime Level | 22.9 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | R+38.0 |
Data coverage note: Alton is missing data for 1 metric that Hickory has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D+
68.8 Score
Alton, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$190,078
Population
21,130
Crime
High
Median Income
$44,317
Southwest
View Alton, TX →
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 →