Durham NC vs Elizabeth NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 135,887 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 44.0% | 24.8% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 17.1% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.8% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $63,874 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $28,490 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.9% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 14.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $531,592 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 25.4% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.7% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 28.1% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.0% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 29.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Durham, NC vs New York, NYDurham, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Durham, NCDurham, NC vs Houston, TXDurham, NC vs Phoenix, AZDurham, NC vs Philadelphia, PA