Boone, NC vs Chelsea, MA
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
Chelsea
62.7
#1829 nationally
Boone leads in crime level (2.5 vs 26.8). Chelsea leads in median household income ($71,051 vs $28,242). Boone leads in average commute (13.8 min vs 34.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boone, NC | Chelsea, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.1 (#1016) | 62.7 (#1829) |
| Population | 19,811 | 38,319 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $491,253 | $531,983 |
| Median Household Income | $28,242 | $71,051 |
| Average Commute | 13.8 min | 34.1 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 81 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+6.0 | D+52.5 |
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-
62.7 Score
Chelsea, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$531,983
Population
38,319
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
81
Northeast
View Chelsea, MA →