Durham, NC vs Evanston, IL
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
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
Evanston leads in walk score (76 vs 33). Evanston leads in median household income ($93,188 vs $67,432). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 131).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 74.7 (#562) |
| Population | 283,506 | 75,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $494,604 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $93,188 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 29 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 76 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.9 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 131 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C
74.7 Score
Evanston, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$494,604
Population
75,070
Crime
Low
Walk Score
76
Midwest
View Evanston, IL →