Arcata, CA vs Waxhaw, 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.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Waxhaw
65.9
#1604 nationally
Waxhaw leads in crime level (1.6 vs 13.9). Waxhaw leads in median household income ($124,711 vs $43,444). Arcata leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Waxhaw, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 65.9 (#1604) |
| Population | 19,012 | 23,073 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $717,174 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $124,711 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+25.3 |
Data coverage note: Waxhaw is missing data for 1 metric that Arcata has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Arcata, CA →
D
65.9 Score
Waxhaw, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$717,174
Population
23,073
Crime
Low
Median Income
$124,711
Southeast
View Waxhaw, NC →