Durham, NC vs Ridgewood, NJ
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
Ridgewood
68
#1362 nationally
Ridgewood leads in median household income ($211,224 vs $67,432). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 181). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 36.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Ridgewood, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 68 (#1362) |
| Population | 283,506 | 26,194 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $1,273,036 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $211,224 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 36.3 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.2 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+3.4 |
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+
68 Score
Ridgewood, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,273,036
Population
26,194
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
42
Northeast
View Ridgewood, NJ →