Graham, NC vs Hickory, NC

Graham, NC and Hickory, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Graham scores 79 while Hickory scores 81 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Graham is $990/month compared to $975/month in Hickory — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hickory has cheaper rent, Graham actually has lower median home values ($200,600 vs $248,300).

Median household income in Graham is $54,783 compared to $63,361 in Hickory (-13.5%). While Hickory is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Graham spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Hickory.