Durham, NC vs Palatine, 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
Palatine
74.6
#575 nationally
Palatine leads in median household income ($93,383 vs $67,432). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 28.7 min). Palatine leads in walk score (41 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Palatine, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 74.6 (#575) |
| Population | 283,506 | 64,869 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $396,744 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $93,383 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 28.7 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.8 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+42.0 |
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
74.6 Score
Palatine, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$396,744
Population
64,869
Crime
Low
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Palatine, IL →
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