Hickory, NC vs Long Beach, CA
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.
Hickory
70.8
#1056 nationally
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Long Beach leads in walk score (67 vs 28). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 142). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 28.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hickory, NC | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1056) | 62.3 (#1863) |
| Population | 44,415 | 466,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,293 | $860,012 |
| Median Household Income | $58,251 | $69,471 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 142 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+38.0 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D-
62.3 Score
Long Beach, CA
Aquatic playground of Southern California
Median Home
$860,012
Population
466,742
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Long Beach, CA →