Boone, NC vs Chapel Hill, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boone
71.1
#1016 nationally
Chapel Hill
68.6
#1303 nationally
Chapel Hill leads in median household income ($85,940 vs $28,242). Boone leads in crime level (2.5 vs 4.7). Boone leads in walk score (49 vs 34).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boone, NC | Chapel Hill, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.1 (#1016) | 68.6 (#1303) |
| Population | 19,811 | 62,043 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $491,253 | $636,021 |
| Median Household Income | $28,242 | $85,940 |
| Average Commute | 13.8 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 4.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+6.0 | D+51.1 |
C-
71.1 Score
Boone, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$491,253
Population
19,811
Crime
Low
Walk Score
49
Southeast
View Boone, NC →
D+
68.6 Score
Chapel Hill, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$636,021
Population
62,043
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Southeast
View Chapel Hill, NC →