Durham NC vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Durham
44.0%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 115,415 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.9 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 14.8% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 34.4% | 5.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 13.5% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $77,415 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $44,220 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 33.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $441,257 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 49.3% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.7 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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