Arcata, CA 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.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Arcata leads in walk score (48 vs 28). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 133). Hickory leads in median household income ($58,251 vs $43,444).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 19,012 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+38.0 |
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
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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 →