Durham NC vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 132,893 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 30.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $53,771 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $34,482 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.7% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 25.0% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 37.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 28.4% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.9% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.7% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.9% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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