Clayton, NC vs Melbourne, FL
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.
Clayton
67.4
#1425 nationally
Melbourne
69.9
#1158 nationally
Clayton leads in crime level (4.6 vs 7.6). Melbourne leads in average commute (22.5 min vs 31.5 min). Clayton leads in median household income ($71,698 vs $60,917).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Clayton, NC | Melbourne, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1425) | 69.9 (#1158) |
| Population | 30,216 | 86,960 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $365,680 | $360,012 |
| Median Household Income | $71,698 | $60,917 |
| Average Commute | 31.5 min | 22.5 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 33 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 7.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.5 | R+20.8 |
Data coverage note: Clayton is missing data for 1 metric that Melbourne has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D+
67.4 Score
Clayton, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$365,680
Population
30,216
Crime
Moderate-Low
Median Income
$71,698
Southeast
View Clayton, NC →
D+
69.9 Score
Melbourne, FL
Florida community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,012
Population
86,960
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Southeast
View Melbourne, FL →