Durham 83 Exceptional
Durham Livability #7 ranked city in New Hampshire#766 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Durham

PROS
  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • 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.

  • 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

    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.

  • 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

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

  • 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.

New Real Estate Listings in Durham Area
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What's it like Living in Durham?

Durham is a moderately-sized city located in the state of New Hampshire. The city has a population of 12,016 residents. Durham has a population density of 3,972 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Durham is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Durham residents is 20. Durham is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 13%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Durham offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Durham could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New Hampshire if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Durham, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, education, housing and more.

With a livability score of 82 out of 100, Durham is ranked #766 in the United States and #7 in New Hampshire. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Durham could be a great choice! Durham also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Durham ranks well for crime (A+), education (A+) and employment (B-) There are some categories that Durham does not rank well for, including: amenities (D-) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 58 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Durham boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Durham have an average test score of 76%, which is well above the US average.

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. Median real estate prices in Durham come in at $373,100, which is 55.7% higher than the New Hampshire 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, which is 71.4% higher than the New Hampshire 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, NH Livability

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      Durham transportation information

      Statistic Durham New Hampshire National
      Average one way commute20min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work42.1%81.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool2.6%7.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit7.1%0.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.1%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk38.3%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home7.9%6.1%4.6%
      Source: The Durham, NH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).