Hercules, 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.
Hercules
63.3
#1776 nationally
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Hercules leads in crime level (4.6 vs 11.2). Hercules leads in median household income ($125,880 vs $58,251). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 40.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hercules, CA | Hickory, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1776) | 70.8 (#1056) |
| Population | 26,582 | 44,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $743,984 | $298,293 |
| Median Household Income | $125,880 | $58,251 |
| Average Commute | 40.4 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 11.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 171 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | R+38.0 |
D
63.3 Score
Hercules, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$743,984
Population
26,582
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
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 →