Durham, NC vs Marion, IA
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
Marion
80.8
#63 nationally
Marion leads in median household income ($81,519 vs $67,432). Marion leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 22.8 min). Marion leads in cost of living index (94 vs 102).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Marion, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 80.8 (#63) |
| Population | 283,506 | 42,213 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $281,229 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $81,519 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 32 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.4 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+9.9 |
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 →
B-
80.8 Score
Marion, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,229
Population
42,213
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
Midwest
View Marion, IA →