Durham, NC vs Salem, MA
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
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 33). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 30.6 min). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 135).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salem, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 68.6 (#1307) |
| Population | 283,506 | 44,744 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $614,321 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $79,196 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 70 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 4.2 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+20.3 |
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+
68.6 Score
Salem, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$614,321
Population
44,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
70
Northeast
View Salem, MA →