Durham NC vs Greensboro NC — 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Greensboro
12.7%
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Greensboro
5.0%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 12.7% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 40.4% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 10.4% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Greensboro
$35,858
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Greensboro
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Greensboro
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Greensboro
39.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $58,884 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $35,858 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.1% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 18.4% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 39.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Greensboro
50.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $265,214 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 50.3% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Greensboro
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Greensboro
1999
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Greensboro
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Greensboro
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Greensboro
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Greensboro
13.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.1% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.0% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.5% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 59.1°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 42.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | 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
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Greensboro 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%.
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