Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Durham, NC
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Durham leads 13 of 23 categories
Durham
North Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Durham, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
6% less violent crime than Modesto
Homes cost $65k less ($316,600 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $201/mo less ($1,296 vs $1,497)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Modesto, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 49°F
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Durham
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 96.6 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Durham
Median Income
$1,335
$74,710 vs $73,375/yr
Durham
Violent Crime
6% lower
619.2 vs 655.7 per 100k
Durham
Median Home Value
$65k less
$316,600 vs $381,800
Durham
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
4.3% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Summer Heat
8.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 87.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Durham, NC | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.6 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $316,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,296 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,710 ✓ Higher | $73,375 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 17.9% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 170⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 91.3% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Durham Public Schools | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.9°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 87.0°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.0" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 5.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 284,094 ✓ Larger | 218,308 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.7% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Durham's cost of living index is 96.6 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Durham is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Durham leads 13 of 23 categories. Durham wins 13 and Modesto wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Durham to Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($316,600 vs $381,800 median home), income ($74,710 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Durham, NC and Modesto, CA are about 2,312 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.