Hickory Grove, SC vs St. Matthews, SC

St. Matthews is moderately more affordable than Hickory Grove, with a 11.6% lower cost of living index. Hickory Grove scores 78 compared to 70 for St. Matthews, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hickory Grove can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hickory Grove is $1,118/month compared to $825/month in St. Matthews — a 36% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while St. Matthews has cheaper rent, Hickory Grove actually has lower median home values ($119,400 vs $146,600).

Median household income in Hickory Grove is $61,250 compared to $55,351 in St. Matthews (+10.7%). The higher salaries in Hickory Grove partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hickory Grove spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in St. Matthews.

Climate-wise, St. Matthews is notably warmer with an average of 65°F compared to 61°F in Hickory Grove. St. Matthews receives more rainfall at 43.7" per year compared to 42.4" in Hickory Grove.