2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hickory, NC vs Shelby, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Shelby or is it cheaper to live in Hickory?
- Shelby is 8.3% less expensive than Hickory.

Which city has more affordable housing, Shelby or Hickory?
- Shelby housing costs are 20.6% less expensive than Hickory housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hickory or is Health Care more affordable in Shelby.
- Health related expenses are 9.3% less in Shelby.
 Hickory, NCShelby, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock81.6100
 Food & Groceries95.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock115.5100
 Housing70.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$156,900$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.4100
 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 Shelby    1 Reviews

Over 19 years ago

Not likely you'll settle here out of chance, a job will likely bring you here. I have lived in the Shelby area for the past ten years and have seen an explosion of  More

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