Fairfield, 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.
Fairfield
62.9
#1812 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Fairfield leads in median household income ($98,857 vs $58,251). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 32.3 min). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 151).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.9 (#1812) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 120,768 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $605,863 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $98,857 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 32.3 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 13.6 | 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+23.0 | R+38.0 |
D-
62.9 Score
Fairfield, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$605,863
Population
120,768
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
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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 →