Durham NC vs League City 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%
League City, TX
Texas · Population: 114,885
- Median HH Income$119,870
- Median Home Price$373,295
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+47.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
League City
114,885
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
League City
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
League City
37.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
League City
11.1%
White
Durham
44.0%
League City
70.7%
League City +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
League City
7.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
League City
6.0%
League City +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
League City
19.3%
League City +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
League City
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 114,885 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.1% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 70.7% | League City + |
| Black | 34.4% | 7.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 6.0% | League City + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 19.3% | League City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
League City
$119,870
League City +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
League City
$52,344
League City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
League City
$63,758
League City +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
League City
3.6%
League City +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
League City
4.5%
League City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
League City
47.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $119,870 | League City + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $52,344 | League City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | League City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.6% | League City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 4.5% | League City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 47.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
League City
$373,295
League City +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
League City
74.4%
League City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $373,295 | League City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 74.4% | League City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
League City
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
League City
2339
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, 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%
League City
30.5%
League City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
League City
9.3%
League City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
League City
15.5%
League City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
League City
10.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
League City
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
League City
9.7%
League City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 30.5% | League City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.3% | League City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.5% | League City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.8% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.0% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | League City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
League City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
League City
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, 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 +
League City
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
League City
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, 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 +
League City
32.4 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 32.4 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
League City leads in median household income at $119,870, while league City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,295. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in League City. League City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, League City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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