Durham, NC vs Fort Walton Beach, FL
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
Fort Walton Beach
72.1
#925 nationally
Fort Walton Beach leads in walk score (38 vs 33). Durham leads in median household income ($67,432 vs $61,820). Fort Walton Beach leads in average commute (21.3 min vs 22.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fort Walton Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 72.1 (#925) |
| Population | 283,506 | 20,925 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $325,397 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $61,820 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 21.3 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.4 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | R+42.5 |
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-
72.1 Score
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Small Florida city with local appeal
Median Home
$325,397
Population
20,925
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
38
Southeast
View Fort Walton Beach, FL →
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