Durham, NC vs Elizabeth, NJ
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.
Durham
69.4
#1213 nationally
Elizabeth
66.6
#1519 nationally
Elizabeth leads in walk score (80 vs 33). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 126). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 26.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 66.6 (#1519) |
| Population | 283,506 | 135,829 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $548,370 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $59,939 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 80 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.2 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+24.2 |
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 →
D
66.6 Score
Elizabeth, NJ
Mid-size New Jersey city with community character
Median Home
$548,370
Population
135,829
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
80
Northeast
View Elizabeth, NJ →