Durham, NC vs North Chicago, IL
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
North Chicago
79.5
#119 nationally
North Chicago leads in average commute (16.9 min vs 22.8 min). Durham leads in median household income ($67,432 vs $52,011). North Chicago leads in walk score (36 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 79.5 (#119) |
| Population | 283,506 | 30,416 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $226,134 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $52,011 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 16.9 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 36 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 4.9 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+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 →
C+
79.5 Score
North Chicago, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$226,134
Population
30,416
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View North Chicago, IL →
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