Durham, NC vs Helena, MT
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
Helena
69.1
#1251 nationally
Helena leads in average commute (13.4 min vs 22.8 min). Helena leads in walk score (49 vs 33). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 110).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Helena, MT |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 69.1 (#1251) |
| Population | 283,506 | 34,464 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $484,550 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $64,798 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 13.4 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 49 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 14.1 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 110 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | R+5.7 |
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+
69.1 Score
Helena, MT
Small Montana city with local appeal
Median Home
$484,550
Population
34,464
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
49
West
View Helena, MT →