Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton and Jackson receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton
Jackson
Opportunity
40 · Bottom 20%
vs45 · Bottom 29%
Growth
65 · Top 27%
vs60 · Top 35%
Climate
78 · Top 8%
vs75 · Top 20%
Physical resilience
57 · Top 48%
vs58 · Top 47%
Housing affordability
95 · Top 48%
vs96 · Top 45%
Access
73 · Bottom 44%
vs64 · Bottom 28%
Economic stability
49 · Bottom 47%
vs45 · Bottom 42%
Measured values
| Metric | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | Jackson | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 368,316 | 181,719 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $62,787 | $61,177 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,781 | $32,377 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 225/sq mi | 106/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $215,600 | $185,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $869 | $997 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.8% | 65.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -3.0% | -1.2% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 23.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 16.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 3,504 | 476 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 9.5 | 2.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 18.2% | 13.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 87°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 30°F | 29°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 53.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 50 mi | 61 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.4 min | 24.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.5 | 38.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm.
Jackson
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton
65
Your Score
63
Area Score
Jackson
63
Your Score
63
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metro Area · Jackson, TN Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology