Durham NC vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 44.0% | 34.2% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 13.7% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Miami
$42,528
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Miami
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $59,390 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $42,528 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 19.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 35.6% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $580,996 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 30.7% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 27.2% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.3% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 75.8°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 64.1 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 29.9 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, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
Compare More Cities
Durham, NC vs New York, NYDurham, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Durham, NCDurham, NC vs Houston, TXDurham, NC vs Phoenix, AZDurham, NC vs Philadelphia, PA