Durham, NC vs South Plainfield, NJ
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
South Plainfield
72.3
#913 nationally
South Plainfield leads in median household income ($123,417 vs $67,432). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 134). South Plainfield leads in walk score (43 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | South Plainfield, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 72.3 (#913) |
| Population | 283,506 | 24,131 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $598,263 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $123,417 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 27.9 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.2 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 134 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+8.0 |
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-
72.3 Score
South Plainfield, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$598,263
Population
24,131
Crime
Low
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View South Plainfield, NJ →
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