Alton, IL vs Durham, NC
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.
Alton
77.1
#275 nationally
Durham
69.4
#1213 nationally
Durham leads in median household income ($67,432 vs $49,439). Alton leads in cost of living index (84 vs 102). Alton leads in walk score (39 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, IL | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#275) | 69.4 (#1213) |
| Population | 25,006 | 283,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $105,039 | $395,976 |
| Median Household Income | $49,439 | $67,432 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+61.9 |
C+
77.1 Score
Alton, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$105,039
Population
25,006
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Alton, IL →
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 →