Brea, CA vs Durham, 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.
Brea
64.3
#1700 nationally
Durham
69.4
#1213 nationally
Brea leads in median household income ($120,226 vs $67,432). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 178). Brea leads in walk score (50 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 69.4 (#1213) |
| Population | 48,479 | 283,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $395,976 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $67,432 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+61.9 |
D
64.3 Score
Brea, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,134,146
Population
48,479
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Brea, CA →
D+
69.4 Score
Durham, NC
Bull City innovation and inclusion
Median Home
$395,976
Population
283,506
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Durham, NC →