Durham NC vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Durham
44.0%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 197,768 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.3% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 34.4% | 17.9% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $65,526 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $33,953 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 18.6% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 40.1% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.4% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.9% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. 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, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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