Durham, North Carolina

Bull City innovation and inclusion

Southeast Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metro

U.S. News (2025)

#16 Best Places to Live

Forbes (2024)

#4 Best Cities for Young Professionals

WhereAtHome Score

69.4

D+

out of 100

Overview

Durham has transformed from a tobacco town into one of the nation's most innovative small cities. Duke University and Research Triangle Park drive a knowledge economy, while the city's historic districts have been revitalized with restaurants and creative businesses. Strong diversity and progressive culture attract young professionals.

Key Highlights

  • Duke University and Duke Health System
  • Research Triangle Park employment access
  • Vibrant food and arts scene
  • Historic American Tobacco Campus
  • Strong biotech and tech job market
  • Diverse and inclusive community

Key Metrics

Population 2024

283,506

Source: Census ACS

Median Home Value 2026

$395,976

Source: Zillow ZHVI

Median Household Income 2023

$67,432

Source: Census ACS

Average Commute 2023

22.8 min

Source: Census ACS

Walk Score 2025

33

Source: Walk Score

Crime Level 2024

Moderate

Source: FBI CDE

School Rating

2025

B- (6.4/10)

Source: Curated

Cost of Living Index 2025

102 (100 = U.S. avg)

Source: Curated

2024 Presidential Election

Durham County (county-level results)

80%
18%
Democrat 144,450
Republican 32,853
Leans D+61.9

Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more

Climate

Summer High

89°F

Winter Low

30°F

Annual Rainfall

47"

Sunny Days

213

Amenities & Infrastructure

73+ Parks

Green spaces and recreation

4 Major Hospitals

Healthcare access

3 Universities

Higher education institutions

Public Transit Available

Bus, rail, or metro service

Major Employers

Duke University Duke Health IBM Fidelity Investments

Score Breakdown

6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.

Housing Affordability 51.9/100

Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)

Income vs Housing 46.9/100

How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)

Commute Time 64.4/100

Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)

Crime 50/100

Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)

Walkability 33/100

Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)

Purchasing Power 47.1/100

Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)

WhereAtHome Score 69.4

Location

Durham, NC (35.9940, -78.8986)
View on Google Maps

Compare with another city

Start Comparison

Last Updated: 2026-07-01

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.

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