Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Durham
15.3%
White
Duluth
N/A
Durham
44.0%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Durham
34.4%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Durham
5.6%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 288,465 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Durham
$79,234
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Durham
$47,246
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Durham
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Durham
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Durham
55.7%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $79,234 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $47,246 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $399,509 | Duluth + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 51.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Duluth +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Duluth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Duluth +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Duluth +
Durham
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.8% | Duluth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.2% | Duluth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 10.7% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | 57.9°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | 47.8 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Duluth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Duluth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Duluth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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