Durham, NC vs Santa Monica, 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
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 273). Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 33). Santa Monica leads in median household income ($106,797 vs $67,432).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 283,506 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 83 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 21.3 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+32.9 |
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 →
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
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