Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Durham
34.4%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 288,465 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 36.7% | 44.0% | Durham + |
| Black | 46.8% | 34.4% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $399,509 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 57.9°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 47.8 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Durham
24.3 min
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.3 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. 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, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA