Durham, NC vs Zion, 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
Zion
72.6
#868 nationally
Durham leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 29.3 min). Zion leads in walk score (40 vs 33). Zion leads in cost of living index (96 vs 102).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Zion, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 72.6 (#868) |
| Population | 283,506 | 24,206 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $257,565 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $65,018 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 29.3 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 40 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 12.4 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+20.8 |
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-
72.6 Score
Zion, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$257,565
Population
24,206
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Zion, IL →