Durham, NC vs Gardner, KS
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
Gardner
76
#395 nationally
Durham leads in walk score (33 vs 24). Gardner leads in median household income ($91,232 vs $67,432). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 24 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Gardner, KS |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 76 (#395) |
| Population | 283,506 | 25,378 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $355,396 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $91,232 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 24 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 24 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.8 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 101 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+8.5 |
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 →
C
76 Score
Gardner, KS
Small Kansas city with local appeal
Median Home
$355,396
Population
25,378
Crime
Low
Walk Score
24
Midwest
View Gardner, KS →