Austin, MN 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.
Austin
83.9
#10 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Austin leads in crime level (5.2 vs 11.2). Austin leads in walk score (37 vs 28). Austin leads in average commute (17 min vs 19.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, MN | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 83.9 (#10) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 26,171 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $193,110 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $61,667 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 17 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 5.2 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.5 | R+38.0 |
B
83.9 Score
Austin, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$193,110
Population
26,171
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View Austin, MN →
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 →