Durham, NC vs Folsom, 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
Folsom
67.8
#1378 nationally
Folsom leads in median household income ($134,935 vs $67,432). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 165). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 26.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Folsom, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 67.8 (#1378) |
| Population | 283,506 | 84,782 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $763,818 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $134,935 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 26.1 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 31 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 5.0 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+19.7 |
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+
67.8 Score
Folsom, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$763,818
Population
84,782
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Folsom, CA →