2024 Senior Living Report
See where Chapel Hill ranks for senior living.
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Chapel Hill
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Chapel Hill is a vibrant town in Orange County and is home to a campus of the University of North Carolina, often celebrated for both academics and its Tar Heels basketball team. As a university town, Chapel Hill’s senior population is onlyaround 5,281 people, but retirees find lots to enjoy here. When it comes to arts and culture,seniors can visit theAckland Art Museum, featuring European and Asian art, for free. The North Carolina Botanical Garden has over 1,000 acres of trails and gardens. For dining out, historic Franklin Street is home to over 200 restaurants and other shops. Afree shuttle for seniors has weekly routes that include local grocery stores, shopping centers and the senior center.
To help seniors discover the most senior-friendly locations around the country, Caring.com conducted a new study, “The Best and Worst Places for Senior Living.” The Caring Senior Living Report analyzes and ranks 300 cities and 50 states on the quality of senior living in that area. The cities were graded using 46 metrics across five categories: Health Care, Senior Living & Housing, Affordability, Quality of life, and Transportation.
Quick Facts in Chapel Hill
Top #1 for Primary Care Physicians For Every 100,000 People
Top #1 for Dentists For Every 100,000 People
Top #3 for Other Providers For Every 100,000 People
Top #5 for Social involvement index
Top #6 for Mental Health Professionals For Every 100,000 People
National Rankings in Chapel Hill
In order to find the states that are most friendly to seniors and offer the highest quality of life, Caring.com’s 2022 Senior Living Report graded every state in the U.S. across five different categories, using 46 individual metrics. Below you can see how Chapel Hill compared to the rest of the nation.
Overall
Health Care
Senior Living & Housing
Transportation
Quality Of Life
Affordability
Overall
Health Care
Senior Living & Housing
Transportation
Quality Of Life
Affordability
12th /302
in Overall Rankings
Primary Care Physicians For Every 100,000 People
187 for every 100,000 people
U.S. Average: 82
Around the National Average
Patient satisfaction
80% of patients are satisfied
U.S. Average: 72.17%
Around the National Average
Housing costs
$1,423 per month
U.S. Average: $1,442
Around the National Average
Crime rate
243 crimes per 10,000 people
U.S. Average: 323
Around the National Average
Drinking water quality
0% of people are exposed to violations
U.S. Average: 1.25%
Around the National Average
Regional air quality
4 unhealthy air quality days per year
U.S. Average: 16
Around the National Average
Traffic congestion
22 hours per person per year
U.S. Average: 37
Around the National Average
Crash rate
3 fatal crashes per 100,000 people per year
U.S. Average: 8
Around the National Average
1st /302
in Health Care Rankings
Primary Care Physicians For Every 100,000 People
187 for every 100,000 people
U.S. Average: 82
Around the National Average
Dentists For Every 100,000 People
196 for every 100,000 people
U.S. Average: 72
Around the National Average
Mental Health Professionals For Every 100,000 People
599 for every 100,000 people
U.S. Average: 224
Around the National Average
Other Providers For Every 100,000 People
197 for every 100,000 people
U.S. Average: 77
Around the National Average
Health care professional shortage areas
0 index (from 0 to 25)
U.S. Average: 6
Around the National Average
Preventable hospitalization rate
26 preventable hospitalizations per 1,000 patients
U.S. Average: 43
Around the National Average
Patient satisfaction
80% of patients are satisfied
U.S. Average: 72.17%
Around the National Average
Smoking prevalence
13.6% of people smoke regularly
U.S. Average: 16.26%
Around the National Average
Obesity prevalence
22.7% of people are obese
U.S. Average: 29.55%
Around the National Average
Access to exercise opportunities
84.3% of people have access
U.S. Average: 92.02%
Around the National Average
Covid cases
19,359 cases per 100,000 people
U.S. Average: 24,018
Around the National Average
Covid fatality ratio
0.47% of covid cases were fatal
U.S. Average: 1.08%
Around the National Average
Vaccinated against COVID-19
63.3% of adults are vaccinated
U.S. Average: 46.93%
Around the National Average
CDC Social Vulnerability Index
0.30 index (from 0 to 1)
U.S. Average: 0.52
Around the National Average
State expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act
237th /302
in Senior Living & Housing Rankings
Age diversity
0.71
U.S. Average: 0.82
Around the National Average
Zero-step entrances
50.1% of units
U.S. Average: 54.83%
Around the National Average
Availability of multi-family housing
54.9% of units are multi-family
U.S. Average: 39.98%
Around the National Average
Availability of subsidized housing
157 units per 10,000 people
U.S. Average: 257
Around the National Average
State and local TOD programs
State utility disconnection policies
State energy efficiency scorecard
State manufactured housing protections
27th /302
in Transportation Rankings
Frequency of local transit service
40 buses and trains per hour
U.S. Average: 8
Around the National Average
ADA-accessible stations and vehicles
85.1% of stations and vehicles are accessible
U.S. Average: 78.28%
Around the National Average
Walk trips
0.74 trips per household per day
U.S. Average: 0.90
Around the National Average
Traffic congestion
22 hours per person per year
U.S. Average: 37
Around the National Average
Household transportation costs
$14,324 per year
U.S. Average: $14,367
Around the National Average
Speed limits
29 miles per hour
U.S. Average: 30
Around the National Average
Crash rate
3 fatal crashes per 100,000 people per year
U.S. Average: 8
Around the National Average
State and local Complete Streets policies
State human services transportation coordination
State volunteer driver policies
80th /302
in Quality Of Life Rankings
Opportunity for civic involvement
9 organizations per 10,000 people
U.S. Average: 6
Around the National Average
Social involvement index
1.27 index (from 0 to 2)
U.S. Average: 0.93
Around the National Average
Access to grocery stores and farmers’ markets
0.80 stores and markets within a half-mile
U.S. Average: 2.58
Around the National Average
Access to parks
1.00 parks within a half-mile
U.S. Average: 2.45
Around the National Average
Access to libraries
0.00 libraries within a half-mile
U.S. Average: 0.13
Around the National Average
Access to jobs by transit
40,113 jobs accessible within a 45-minute transit commute
U.S. Average: 84,452
Around the National Average
Access to jobs by auto
38,942 jobs accessible within a 45-minute automobile commute
U.S. Average: 114,917
Around the National Average
Diversity of destinations
0.64 diversity of jobs within a mile (from 0 to 1)
U.S. Average: 0.72
Around the National Average
Activity density
6,956 jobs and people per sq. mi.
U.S. Average: 9,022
Around the National Average
Crime rate
243 crimes per 10,000 people
U.S. Average: 323
Around the National Average
Vacancy rate
11% of units are vacant
U.S. Average: 8.5%
Around the National Average
Broadband cost and speed
99.6% of residents have high-speed, low-cost service
U.S. Average: 85.56%
Around the National Average
Cultural, arts, and entertainment institutions
0.10 institutions per 10,000 people
U.S. Average: 0.14
Around the National Average
Drinking water quality
0% of people are exposed to violations
U.S. Average: 1.25%
Around the National Average
Regional air quality
4 unhealthy air quality days per year
U.S. Average: 16
Around the National Average
Near-roadway pollution
12.55% of people are exposed
U.S. Average: 18.23%
Around the National Average
Local industrial pollution
0.00 index from 0 to 311,000
U.S. Average: 0.90
Around the National Average
State and local plans to create age-friendly communities
State barriers to community broadband
Local LGBT anti-discrimination laws
State and Local Smoke-Free Laws
Local multi-hazard mitigation plans
Local government creditworthiness
State and local inclusive design laws
173rd /302
in Affordability Rankings
Housing costs
$1,423 per month
U.S. Average: $1,442
Around the National Average
Housing cost burden
18.8% of income spent on housing
U.S. Average: 19.96%
Around the National Average
Income inequality
0.52 inequality (from 0 to 1)
U.S. Average: 0.47
Around the National Average
Jobs per worker
0.90 jobs per person
U.S. Average: 0.79
Around the National Average
State minimum wage increase
State and local housing trust funds
State foreclosure prevention and protection
Senior Living Options in Chapel Hill
$0
Average Cost of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2 communities)
$8,420 U.S. Average
Around the National Average
$0
Average Cost of Nursing Homes (3 communities)
$29,256 U.S. Average
Around the National Average
$6,404
Average Cost of Assisted Living (9 communities)
$4,000 U.S. Average
Around the National Average
$0
Average Cost of Adult Day Care (1 communities)
$4,461 U.S. Average
Around the National Average
$1,700
Average Cost of Independent Living (5 communities)
$3,128 U.S. Average
Around the National Average
$7,973
Average Cost of Memory Care (9 communities)
$5,871 U.S. Average
Around the National Average
Key Findings in Chapel Hill
Overall
Health Care
Senior Living & Housing
Transportation
Quality Of Life
Affordability
Overall
Caring.com’s team of researchers spent countless hours researching 46 different factors that are key indicators for older adults overall health, happiness, and quality of life. After completing our research, we put each metric on a scale and graded each state in the nation. Read more about the metrics we used to grade your state by clicking on each category.
Health Care
For the Health Care category, our team of researchers looked at seven main metrics. These metrics cover a variety of data points related to health care, such as how many primary care physicians, dentists, mental health professionals and other physicians there are in the state per 100,000 people. Other metrics we looked at include the rate of patient satisfaction and preventable hospitalization.
Senior Living & Housing
To get an accurate picture of how affordable and available suitable housing is for seniors in every state, our team of researchers considered six key metrics. To get an accurate picture of housing prices for seniors, the comparative cost of housing in the state was adjusted to take into account the average income in the state. Additionally, we factored in the availability of subsidized housing, multi-family homes and homes with no-step entrances.
Transportation
Our Transportation category is used to examine how senior-friendly the transportation system in each state is. We researched a variety of metrics to make this determination, including data points such as crash rates, household transportation costs and the frequency and availability of local transit services.
Quality Of Life
With 18 individual metrics, our Quality of Life category is the broadest topic we covered. In it, we measure how much access seniors have to activities and services that enrich their lives, such as libraries, parks, grocery stores and farmers markets. Other wellness indicators are also examined, including obesity prevalence, water quality, air quality and amount of pollution.
Affordability
The final group of metrics we researched focuses on the income opportunities and earning potential for older adults in the state. Overall, we looked at three metrics that covered topics such as the rate of income inequality in the area, and how many jobs per worker are available.
State Ranking
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2Durham, NC
- 3Raleigh, NC
- 4Winston Salem, NC
- 5Cary, NC
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2Durham, NC
- 3Cary, NC
- 4Raleigh, NC
- 5Winston Salem, NC
- 1Durham, NC
- 2Winston Salem, NC
- 3Greensboro, NC
- 4Fayetteville, NC
- 5Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2Winston Salem, NC
- 3Fayetteville, NC
- 4Durham, NC
- 5Greensboro, NC
- 1Cary, NC
- 2Raleigh, NC
- 3Chapel Hill, NC
- 4Durham, NC
- 5Greensboro, NC
- 1Durham, NC
- 2Raleigh, NC
- 3Greensboro, NC
- 4Winston Salem, NC
- 8Chapel Hill, NC
National Ranking
- 1Hartford, CT
- 2Pittsburgh, PA
- 3Burlington, VT
- 4Portland, OR
- 12Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2San Francisco, CA
- 3Portland, ME
- 4Burlingame, CA
- 5Sunnyvale, CA
- 1Miami, FL
- 2Atlanta, GA
- 3Wilmington, DE
- 4Bronx, NY
- 237Chapel Hill, NC
- 1New York, NY
- 2Bronx, NY
- 3Brooklyn, NY
- 4Queens, NY
- 27Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Bronx, NY
- 2New York, NY
- 3Brooklyn, NY
- 4Queens, NY
- 80Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Wisconsin Rapids, WI
- 2Green Bay, WI
- 3Fort Wayne, IN
- 4Warren, MI
- 173Chapel Hill, NC
Key Findings
Overall
Health Care
Senior Living & Housing
Transportation
Quality Of Life
Affordability
BACK
State Ranking
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2Durham, NC
- 3Raleigh, NC
- 4Winston Salem, NC
- 5Cary, NC
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2Durham, NC
- 3Cary, NC
- 4Raleigh, NC
- 5Winston Salem, NC
- 1Durham, NC
- 2Winston Salem, NC
- 3Greensboro, NC
- 4Fayetteville, NC
- 5Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2Winston Salem, NC
- 3Fayetteville, NC
- 4Durham, NC
- 5Greensboro, NC
- 1Cary, NC
- 2Raleigh, NC
- 3Chapel Hill, NC
- 4Durham, NC
- 5Greensboro, NC
- 1Durham, NC
- 2Raleigh, NC
- 3Greensboro, NC
- 4Winston Salem, NC
- 8Chapel Hill, NC
National Ranking
- 1Hartford, CT
- 2Pittsburgh, PA
- 3Burlington, VT
- 4Portland, OR
- 12Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Chapel Hill, NC
- 2San Francisco, CA
- 3Portland, ME
- 4Burlingame, CA
- 5Sunnyvale, CA
- 1Miami, FL
- 2Atlanta, GA
- 3Wilmington, DE
- 4Bronx, NY
- 237Chapel Hill, NC
- 1New York, NY
- 2Bronx, NY
- 3Brooklyn, NY
- 4Queens, NY
- 27Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Bronx, NY
- 2New York, NY
- 3Brooklyn, NY
- 4Queens, NY
- 80Chapel Hill, NC
- 1Wisconsin Rapids, WI
- 2Green Bay, WI
- 3Fort Wayne, IN
- 4Warren, MI
- 173Chapel Hill, NC
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Why did we choose these metrics?
To learn more about our process, read about why each facet of our methodology is important, and what role it plays in determining the overall opportunity that seniors have to enjoy a healthy and happy lifestyle. While we did include the obvious factors, such as affordability and health care available, we expanded the usefulness of our report by taking a deep dive into more nuanced indicators, such as the availability of museums and parks, the quality of the transportation system, and the amount of air and water pollution.
Select a category on the right to learn more.
- Health Care
- Senior Living & Housing
- Transportation
- Quality Of Life
- Affordability
Health Care
The quality and availability of health care are of primary importance to many demographics, but they are especially vital for older adults. When it comes to the overall quality of living in an area, health care places a huge role in determining how happy and healthy seniors are. This metric was given the second-highest weight and makes up about one-fourth of the overall score.
View the full methodologySenior Living & Housing
With housing shortages becoming more common around the nation, a valid reason for older adults to move is the availability of quality, accessible housing that will meet their needs both now and in the future. This category made up about 15% of the final score. The four metrics in this group rate how available suitable housing is for seniors in a given area.
View the full methodologyTransportation
Many seniors are unable to drive – either due to the cost of vehicles or because of disabilities/medical concerns. Since many are not able to afford private transportation (such as taxis or ridesharing services), the availability of public transportation to get to and from activities, employment, errands and doctor visits is a key indicator in overall quality of life.
View the full methodologyQuality Of Life
As our broadest category, Quality of Life measures numerous factors that contribute to the access and opportunity seniors have for an active, vibrant life. Not only is it important for older adults to have access to enriching activities such as museums and libraries, it’s also vital for them to live in an environment free from an overabundance of things like air and water pollution.
View the full methodologyAffordability
Our experts and the seniors we surveyed agree – affordability is a key factor in determining where older adults choose to retire. Because of how important it is to seniors, this group of metrics makes up one-third of the final score. This category measures both the cost of housing, as well as the availability of jobs for seniors that need to supplement their retirement savings and social security.
View the full methodology