Durham NC vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Durham
34.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.4 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 6.6% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 31.6% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.8% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 7.9% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $55,339 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $39,698 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.8% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 22.6% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 41.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 50.5% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.1% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.5% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 66.6 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.6 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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