Chapel Hill, NC vs Mercer Island, WA
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.
Chapel Hill
68.6
#1303 nationally
Mercer Island
64.9
#1667 nationally
Mercer Island leads in crime level (1.0 vs 4.7). Mercer Island leads in median household income ($190,985 vs $85,940). Chapel Hill leads in cost of living index (133 vs 264).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chapel Hill, NC | Mercer Island, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1303) | 64.9 (#1667) |
| Population | 62,043 | 24,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $636,021 | $2,295,406 |
| Median Household Income | $85,940 | $190,985 |
| Average Commute | 19.6 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 4.7 | 1.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 264 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.1 | D+51.7 |
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 →
D
64.9 Score
Mercer Island, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$2,295,406
Population
24,742
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View Mercer Island, WA →
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