Durham NC vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Durham
44.0%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.6% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 34.4% | 28.1% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.1% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 13.3% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $62,995 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $36,194 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.7% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 34.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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