Durham NC vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
New York
35.9%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.0 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 44.0% | 35.9% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 22.7% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.7% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 17.4% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 41.0% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $816,078 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 32.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.9% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 44.2 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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