Hickory, NC vs Walnut, 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
Walnut
63.3
#1785 nationally
Walnut leads in crime level (3.5 vs 11.2). Walnut leads in median household income ($130,444 vs $58,251). Hickory leads in cost of living index (98 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hickory, NC | Walnut, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1056) | 63.3 (#1785) |
| Population | 44,415 | 27,104 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,293 | $1,188,533 |
| Median Household Income | $58,251 | $130,444 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | 3.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 197 |
| 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
63.3 Score
Walnut, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,188,533
Population
27,104
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
Pacific
View Walnut, CA →