Durham, NC vs Imperial Beach, 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
Imperial Beach
62.9
#1815 nationally
Imperial Beach leads in walk score (69 vs 33). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 167). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 27.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Imperial Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 62.9 (#1815) |
| Population | 283,506 | 25,458 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $844,131 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $75,731 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 27.2 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 69 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 14.8 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 167 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+16.8 |
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-
62.9 Score
Imperial Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$844,131
Population
25,458
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Imperial Beach, CA →
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