Durham, NC vs San Mateo, 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
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 249). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $67,432). San Mateo leads in walk score (68 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 283,506 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.7 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+50.3 |
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
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →