El Monte, 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.
El Monte
61.6
#1894 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
El Monte leads in walk score (62 vs 28). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 151). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 29.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.6 (#1894) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 103,794 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $764,928 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $59,929 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 29.3 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 11.6 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+38.0 |
D-
61.6 Score
El Monte, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$764,928
Population
103,794
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
62
Pacific
View El Monte, 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 →