Hickory, NC vs Surprise, AZ
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
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Surprise leads in crime level (3.0 vs 11.2). Hickory leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 30.5 min). Surprise leads in median household income ($87,756 vs $58,251).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hickory, NC | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1056) | 71 (#1038) |
| Population | 44,415 | 158,285 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,293 | $419,342 |
| Median Household Income | $58,251 | $87,756 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 21 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | 3.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+38.0 | R+3.5 |
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
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C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, AZ →