Columbus, OH 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.
Columbus
76.5
#341 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 28). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 23.1 min). Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $58,251).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 913,175 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.2 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+38.0 |
C
76.5 Score
Columbus, OH
Ohio's capital city on the rise
Median Home
$248,686
Population
913,175
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Columbus, OH →
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 →