Dayton, 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.
Dayton
76
#394 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Hickory leads in median household income ($58,251 vs $38,924). Dayton leads in walk score (40 vs 28). Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 98).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#394) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 137,644 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $138,730 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $38,924 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 28 |
| Crime Level | High | 11.2 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | R+38.0 |
C
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, 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 →