Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Durham
34.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 288,465 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 11.7% | 44.0% | Durham + |
| Black | 76.8% | 34.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $399,509 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Durham
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 57.9°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 47.8 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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