Durham NC vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Durham
44.0%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.4 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 34.4% | 30.1% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 12.0% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $66,981 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $37,269 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.0% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 31.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.9% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.8% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 70.2°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 50.0 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.0 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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