Carlsbad, 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $58,251). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 202). Carlsbad leads in crime level (5.5 vs 11.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 113,495 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | R+38.0 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, CA →
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 →