Cost of Living Comparison Between Richmond, VA and Hickory, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Richmond, VA and Hickory, NC

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Richmond, VA is 1.7% cheaper than Hickory, NC without rent, and 12.6% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Richmond, VA is 12.4% more expensive than Hickory, NC without rent, and 25.8% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.69 $19.69
$19.74 $19.74
-0.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$102 $102
$70.4 $70.4
44.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.04 $11.04
$10.86 $10.86
1.66%
Cappuccino
$4.96 $4.96
$5.63 $5.63
-11.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.77 $2.77
-21.30%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2 $2
$2.34 $2.34
-14.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.89 $4.89
$5.84 $5.84
-16.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.83 $7.83
$6.87 $6.87
13.97%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$0.95 $0.95
-4.21%
White Bread (500g)
$3.66 $3.66
$3.71 $3.71
-1.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.63 $3.63
$4.59 $4.59
-20.92%
Eggs
$5.56 $5.56
$2.47 $2.47
125.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.91 $8.91
$12.78 $12.78
-30.28%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.54 $12.54
$9.12 $9.12
37.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.94 $15.94
$19.75 $19.75
-19.29%
Apples (1kg)
$5.45 $5.45
$5.62 $5.62
-3.02%
Banana (1kg)
$1.23 $1.23
$1.31 $1.31
-6.11%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.75 $3.75
$7.14 $7.14
-47.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.32 $4.32
$5.57 $5.57
-22.44%
Potato (1kg)
$2.65 $2.65
$4.84 $4.84
-45.25%
Onion (1kg)
$2.69 $2.69
$3.83 $3.83
-29.77%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.86 $1.86
6.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.27 $2.27
-5.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.6 $10.6
$6.81 $6.81
55.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.75 $13.75
$15.17 $15.17
-9.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.32 $2.32
$1.67 $1.67
38.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.1 $4.1
$3.05 $3.05
34.43%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.22 $1.22
24.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.4 $60.4
$45.29 $45.29
33.34%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.48 $2.48
$3.45 $3.45
-28.12%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.51 $1.51
$1.53 $1.53
-1.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.15 $22.15
$18.18 $18.18
21.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.9 $0.9
$0.75 $0.75
20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.7K $28.7K
$35.9K $35.9K
-20.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7K $25.7K
$24.5K $24.5K
4.99%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$157 $157
$160 $160
-2.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.3 $53.3
$54.5 $54.5
-2.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$77.4 $77.4
$62.4 $62.4
24.07%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.5 $61.5
$35.22 $35.22
74.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.18 $20.18
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.13 $15.13
$13.19 $13.19
14.71%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,270 $1,270
$1,725 $1,725
-26.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$30.7K $30.7K
$9,821 $9,821
212.45%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 $53.4
$47.16 $47.16
13.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.67 $35.67
$45.04 $45.04
-20.80%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.1 $78.1
$96 $96
-18.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121 $121
$139 $139
-13.03%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,474 $1,474
$1,209 $1,209
21.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,291 $1,291
$993 $993
29.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,344 $2,344
$1,870 $1,870
25.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,139 $2,139
$1,323 $1,323
61.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,593 $2,593
$2,218 $2,218
16.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,357 $2,357
$2,110 $2,110
11.71%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Richmond, VA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,175 $4,175
$3,696 $3,696
12.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.58
4.85
35.67%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Richmond, VA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Hickory, NC: October 27, 2025

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