Carrboro, NC vs Shelby, 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.
Carrboro
70.3
#1110 nationally
Shelby
70.8
#1062 nationally
Carrboro leads in crime level (4.9 vs 28.6). Carrboro leads in median household income ($76,933 vs $46,176). Shelby leads in cost of living index (90 vs 126).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carrboro, NC | Shelby, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.3 (#1110) | 70.8 (#1062) |
| Population | 21,103 | 22,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $429,889 | $214,559 |
| Median Household Income | $76,933 | $46,176 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 22.4 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 4.9 | 28.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 90 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.1 | R+35.0 |
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 →
C-
70.8 Score
Shelby, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$214,559
Population
22,010
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Shelby, NC →