Carlsbad, CA 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Chapel Hill
68.6
#1303 nationally
Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $85,940). Chapel Hill leads in cost of living index (133 vs 202). Chapel Hill leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Chapel Hill, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 68.6 (#1303) |
| Population | 113,495 | 62,043 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $636,021 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $85,940 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 4.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+51.1 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, CA →
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 →
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