Durham, NC vs Oak Ridge, TN
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
Oak Ridge
70.4
#1105 nationally
Durham leads in walk score (33 vs 18). Oak Ridge leads in cost of living index (94 vs 102). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 23.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Oak Ridge, TN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 70.4 (#1105) |
| Population | 283,506 | 33,397 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $329,586 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $67,152 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 18 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 8.0 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | R+35.7 |
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 →
C-
70.4 Score
Oak Ridge, TN
Small Tennessee city with local appeal
Median Home
$329,586
Population
33,397
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
18
Southeast
View Oak Ridge, TN →