Durham NC vs Livonia MI — 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Livonia
8.2%
White
Durham
44.0%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Livonia
3.7%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 94,058 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 45.1 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 8.2% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 34.4% | 4.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.7% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 4.5% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Livonia
$46,588
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Livonia
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Livonia
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Livonia
40.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $46,588 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 40.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Livonia
$314,705
Livonia +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $314,705 | Livonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Livonia
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Livonia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Livonia
11.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.3% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | 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 +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Livonia
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while livonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $314,705. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Livonia. 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, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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