Durham, NC vs Newton, MA
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
Newton
69.4
#1220 nationally
Newton leads in median household income ($176,373 vs $67,432). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 207). Newton leads in walk score (57 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newton, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 69.4 (#1220) |
| Population | 283,506 | 88,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $1,540,226 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $176,373 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.3 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 207 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+39.5 |
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+
69.4 Score
Newton, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,540,226
Population
88,415
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Newton, MA →