Carrboro 78 Exceptional
Carrboro Livability #27 ranked city in North Carolina#2,610 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Carrboro

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Schools Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

What's it like Living in Carrboro?

Located in the state of North Carolina, Carrboro is a mid-sized city with a population of 22,056 people. Carrboro has a population density of 3,426 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. The majority of Carrboro residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Carrboro could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 33 years old is below the nation’s average. Carrboro is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 50% married, this city falls well below the national average. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Carrboro, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.

Living in Carrboro can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of North Carolina, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like crime, commute, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Carrboro and in the areas around Carrboro is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 78 out of 100, Carrboro is ranked #2,157 in the United States and #26 in North Carolina. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Carrboro could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Carrboro also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Carrboro ranks well for crime (B-), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (B) Carrboro does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 181 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Carrboro boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

The unemployment rate in Carrboro has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.7%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Carrboro have an average test score of 67%, which is well above the US average.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Carrboro can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Carrboro meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Carrboro. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Carrboro are simply unattainable. The median home price for Carrboro homes is $697,677, which is 141% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Carrboro, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7, which is 70.7% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Carrboro

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Compare Carrboro, NC Livability

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      Carrboro transportation information

      Statistic Carrboro North Carolina National
      Average one way commute24min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work58.2%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.2%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.9%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle6.2%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home13.4%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Carrboro, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.