Durham NC vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Durham
44.0%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 9.8% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 34.4% | 23.7% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 8.6% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $64,731 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $38,890 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.1% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 33.4% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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