Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Durham
5.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 288,465 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 53.3% | 44.0% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $399,509 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.8% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 47.8 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.3 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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