Hickory, NC vs Oceanside, 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
Oceanside
60
#1941 nationally
Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 161). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 29.8 min). Oceanside leads in median household income ($86,701 vs $58,251).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hickory, NC | Oceanside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1056) | 60 (#1941) |
| Population | 44,415 | 170,020 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,293 | $874,097 |
| Median Household Income | $58,251 | $86,701 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 29.8 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | 12.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 161 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+38.0 | D+16.8 |
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-
60 Score
Oceanside, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$874,097
Population
170,020
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Oceanside, CA →