Boulder, CO 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.
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Chapel Hill
68.6
#1303 nationally
Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 34). Chapel Hill leads in cost of living index (133 vs 165). Chapel Hill leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 21.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Chapel Hill, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 68.6 (#1303) |
| Population | 103,166 | 62,043 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $636,021 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $85,940 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 34 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 4.7 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+51.1 |
D+
67.4 Score
Boulder, CO
Nature meets innovation at the Flatirons
Median Home
$957,377
Population
103,166
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A
West
View Boulder, CO →
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 →