Durham 79 Exceptional
Durham Livability #29 ranked city in Connecticut#2,094 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Durham

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this 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.

What's it like Living in Durham?

Durham is a small city located in the state of Connecticut. The city has a population of 3,676 residents. According to the most recent Census, 91% of Durham residents are White, 3% Asian and 0% Black. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Durham, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 29 minutes.

Living in Durham can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Connecticut, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. 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 cost of living, education, employment and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Durham has received a livability score of 78/100. This score is ranked in the 92nd percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Durham is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Durham has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the grades for each individual category, Durham has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), education (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 robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Durham excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Durham. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Durham are affordable. The median home price for Durham homes is $574,144, which is 17.3% higher than the Connecticut average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Durham, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 32.6% lower than the Connecticut average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Durham

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Durham?

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Compare Durham, CT Livability

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      Durham transportation information

      Statistic Durham Connecticut National
      Average one way commute29min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.3%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.9%4.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home12.1%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Durham, CT 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.