Is Hickory or Palo Alto Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hickory is safer than Palo Alto (Safety Score 16/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100,000 versus 3,245 for Palo Alto — 0% lower. Hickory has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Palo Alto has a 48% lower rate.
Hickory — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hickory, NC
Palo Alto, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hickory | Palo Alto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,234.0 | 3,245.3 | -11.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 409.6 | 212.1 | +197.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 1.5 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 24.6 | 38.4 | -13.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.0 | 53.8 | +2.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 324.5 | 118.3 | +206.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,824.4 | 3,033.2 | -208.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 409.6 | 225.9 | +183.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,150.8 | 2,623.0 | -472.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 264.1 | 184.4 | +79.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hickory or Palo Alto safer?
Hickory is safer with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100K vs 3,245 for Palo Alto — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hickory has a violent crime rate of 409.6 per 100K while Palo Alto has 212.1. Palo Alto has lower violent crime.
About Hickory, NC
Nestled in the Catawba Valley, Hickory is a city of around 43,000 residents known for its furniture manufacturing heritage. It sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering scenic views and outdoor access. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 44,682, Hickory has a total crime rate of 3,234.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, is a wealthy Silicon Valley hub home to Stanford University. Its residents are highly educated, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 65,079, Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 3,245.3 per 100,000 residents.