Durham, NC vs Seal Beach, 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
Seal Beach
59.7
#1946 nationally
Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 149). Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 31 min). Seal Beach leads in walk score (41 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Seal Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 59.7 (#1946) |
| Population | 283,506 | 24,352 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $841,961 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $75,507 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 31 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 13.2 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 149 |
| 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 →
F
59.7 Score
Seal Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$841,961
Population
24,352
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Seal Beach, CA →