Durham NC vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Durham
44.0%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 154,776 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 34.4% | 20.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.3% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $59,183 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $28,059 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 17.9% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 20.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 41.2% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.6% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.6% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 18.4% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 18.3% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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