2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hickory, NC vs Mason City, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Mason City or is it cheaper to live in Hickory?
- Mason City is 17.6% less expensive than Hickory.

Which city has more affordable housing, Mason City or Hickory?
- Mason City housing costs are 47.7% less expensive than Hickory housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hickory or is Health Care more affordable in Mason City.
- Health related expenses are 21.1% less in Mason City.
 Hickory, NCMason City, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock73.3100
 Food & Groceries95.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock100.5100
 Housing70.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$137,100$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock59.1100
 Miscellaneous94.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Hickory    8 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Hickory is has wonderful amenities such as the science museum, children's museum, aquarium, art museum, symphony orchestra, and great universities. Its not far from  More

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Over 3 years ago

Hickory is a nice place to live. There are great parks here. Glen Hilton is a beautiful park with lots of play structures and tall trees nice elevated walking path.  More

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Cons, No ethnic diversity"... How is that a "Con"? That means it has a rich traditional culture, where most people share a interest in the same  More

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Reviews for Mason City    8 Reviews

I am from the area originally and have lived several places. I recently moved back from Arizona. I moved back to help with my elderly parents. If I did not have  More

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Over 13 years ago

Where to begin?? Murder,arson,abductions,beastialty,gang killings,meth labs,pantie thiefs. High utility bills, no jobs, corrupt police, evil judges, minus 40 below wind  More

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Over 14 years ago

Unless you have a tie to Mason City, such as family, don't even consider this desolate town. The population is declining rapidly for a reason. You are on an island,  More

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