Cost of Living in Hickory, NC
| Cost of Living in Hickory, NC | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 6% lower | 14% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 2% lower | 8% lower |
| Food | 1% higher | 2% higher |
| Healthcare | 6% lower | 6% lower |
| Transportation | 1% lower | 5% lower |
| Goods & Services | 14% lower | 4% lower |
The cost of living in Hickory, NC is 7% lower than the state average and 7% lower than the national average. Hickory, NC housing is 14% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 8% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% pricier in Hickory, NC than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 4% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 6% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 4% cheaper in Hickory, NC.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Hickory is $1,464, while home prices circle around $445,848.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Hickory, energy bills cost around $200.60 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $5.44 in Hickory, a dozen eggs go for around $4.73 and a pound of potatoes circles around $6.25.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Hickory, an optometry check-up costs around $132.48, while a dentist appointment is priced $103.17 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.00 in Hickory, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $56.28.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $45.82 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $46.93.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Hickory, you should budget around $13.26 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $24.75, while dry cleaning costs about $15.09.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Hickory, the median household income is $64,576.