Durham 58 Below average
Durham Livability #703 ranked city in California#21,145 ranked city in the USARanks better than 27% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Durham

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Durham?

Durham is a small-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 6,384 people. Durham has a population density of 78 people per square mile. This would be considered about average when compared to the national population density level. At 88%, the majority of the Durham population is White; this is followed by 3% Black and 3% Asian. Something to be aware of when living in Durham are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 34 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Durham, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Durham and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, commute, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 58/100, Durham is ranked #20,393 in the United States and #691 in California. This is a lower than the United States average livability score as Durham does not rank well for most categories. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Durham has been rewarded with high marks for employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Durham. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Durham has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Durham is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Durham come in at $947,437, which is 29.5% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Durham, the home price to income ratio is 6.4, which is 16.9% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Durham

See all the best places to live around Durham

How Do You Rate The Livability In Durham?

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Compare Durham, CA Livability

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      Durham transportation information

      Statistic Durham California National
      Average one way commute34min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.6%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.9%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.6%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home8.9%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Durham, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.