Durham NC vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Durham
44.0%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 14.1% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 34.4% | 18.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 10.5% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.4% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 54.4% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 48.0% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.1% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.8% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.7% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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