Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Durham
15.3%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 288,465 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 15.3% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 44.0% | Durham + |
| Black | 23.7% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 14.7% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $399,509 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Durham
36.8%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.8% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 47.8 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. 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%.
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