Durham, NC vs Mesa, AZ
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
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Mesa leads in walk score (38 vs 33). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 112). Mesa leads in median household income ($73,766 vs $67,432).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mesa, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 67 (#1475) |
| Population | 283,506 | 511,648 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $433,754 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $73,766 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 24.8 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 13.2 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | R+3.5 |
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 →
D+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →