Durham, NC vs Melbourne, FL
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
Melbourne
69.9
#1158 nationally
Durham leads in median household income ($67,432 vs $60,917). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 105). Melbourne leads in average commute (22.5 min vs 22.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Melbourne, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 69.9 (#1158) |
| Population | 283,506 | 86,960 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $360,012 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $60,917 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 22.5 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 33 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 7.6 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | R+20.8 |
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+
69.9 Score
Melbourne, FL
Florida community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,012
Population
86,960
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Southeast
View Melbourne, FL →