salaryRent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,880 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 61 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Hickory?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Hickory
| Size | Hickory | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $749 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $989 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,120 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,250 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,455 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Hickory overall?
Everyday prices in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Hickory
Life in Hickory
What jobs pay in Hickory
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | 11.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | 12.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | 12.3% |
| Software Developer | $122,540 | 12.7% |
| Lawyer | $97,330 | 16.0% |
| Operations Manager | $95,640 | 16.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,720 | 16.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | 16.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,970 | 16.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | 19.4% |
| Accountant | $77,490 | 20.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,450 | 20.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,430 | 24.9% |
| Truck Driver | $57,460 | 27.1% |
| Electrician | $53,730 | 29.0% |
| Police Officer | $52,260 | 29.8% |
| Plumber | $51,330 | 30.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,300 | 30.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $49,540 | 31.4% |
| Carpenter | $48,260 | 32.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,290 | 36.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,240 | 38.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,790 | 41.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 | 41.6% |
| Firefighter | $36,340 | 42.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,520 | 51.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,380 | 51.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,310 | 53.1% |
| Cashier | $27,570 | 56.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hickory?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $635 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $278,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,840 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hickory, NC?
Renting in Hickory costs a median of about $1,297 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Hickory?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,880 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Hickory cheap or expensive?
Hickory is rated OK: rent takes 22.3% of the typical household income of $69,645. It ranks 61st cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Hickory?
The median homeowner in Hickory pays $2,066 a year in property taxes, about 0.74% of the median home value.
Is Hickory more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Hickory?
The median home value in Hickory is $278,400, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
44,258 people live in Hickory. Numbers are typical (middle) values.