Durham, NC vs Marshalltown, IA
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
Marshalltown
84.1
#8 nationally
Marshalltown leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 22.8 min). Marshalltown leads in walk score (43 vs 33). Marshalltown leads in cost of living index (84 vs 102).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Marshalltown, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 84.1 (#8) |
| Population | 283,506 | 27,574 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $179,538 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $65,000 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 17.4 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 8.1 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 84 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | R+15.6 |
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 →
B
84.1 Score
Marshalltown, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$179,538
Population
27,574
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
43
Midwest
View Marshalltown, IA →