Carrboro, NC vs San Mateo, CA
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.
Carrboro
70.3
#1110 nationally
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
San Mateo leads in walk score (68 vs 29). Carrboro leads in cost of living index (126 vs 249). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $76,933).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carrboro, NC | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.3 (#1110) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 21,103 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $429,889 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $76,933 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 4.9 | 6.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.1 | D+50.3 |
C-
70.3 Score
Carrboro, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$429,889
Population
21,103
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Southeast
View Carrboro, NC →
D
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →