Durham, NC vs Santa Ana, CA
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
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 33). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 138). Durham leads in school rating (6.4 vs 5.4).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 283,506 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate |
| School Rating | 6.4 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+2.6 |
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
63.6 Score
Santa Ana, CA
Heart of Orange County
Median Home
$869,263
Population
310,227
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C
Pacific
View Santa Ana, CA →