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Hickory, North Carolina Retirement Guide
established retirement community
57
Retirement Score
Hickory, North Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $233,800
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exclusion.
- Avg January Low
- 34.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 94 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 57 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
94 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$233,800High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$917High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exclusion.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
54.3 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
44.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
54.3 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
90.4°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Avg January Low
34.4°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Annual Precipitation
43.8"High confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Sunny Days / Year
301 daysHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Safety
Safety Score
93.1 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
15.9 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0.5 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
43,352High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
37.9High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
16.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$58,251High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
53.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
7.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
36.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
16.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
69.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
13.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
13.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
4.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Hickory using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$507
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$569
Median home price used: $233,800
Median rent reference: $917 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
THAYER FINANCIAL, L.L.C.
ABS LEGACY PARTNERS, LLC
ABS LEGACY PARTNERS, LLC
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