Broken Arrow OK vs Durham NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Broken Arrow
115,919
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 68.4% | 44.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Durham
$79,234
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Durham
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $79,234 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 12.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $399,509 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 51.8% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Durham
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 24.3 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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