Durham, NC vs Lancaster, CA
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
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 30.9 min). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 126). Durham leads in walk score (33 vs 29).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 283,506 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 22.9 |
| 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+32.9 |
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-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →