Durham NC vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Irving
255,036
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Irving
12.9%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 255,036 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.7% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 12.9% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Irving
$39,462
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Irving
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Irving
41.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $39,462 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 41.6% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $344,888 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 38.3% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Irving
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Irving
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Irving
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Irving
11.2%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 20.6% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.0% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | 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
Durham +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.0 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. 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, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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