Durham, NC vs Tacoma, WA
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
Tacoma
65.1
#1654 nationally
Tacoma leads in walk score (52 vs 33). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 28.4 min). Durham leads in school rating (6.4 vs 5.4).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 65.1 (#1654) |
| Population | 283,506 | 221,776 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $496,203 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 52 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 6.4 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 118 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+10.8 |
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
65.1 Score
Tacoma, WA
City of Destiny reborn
Median Home
$496,203
Population
221,776
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
West
View Tacoma, WA →