Durham NC vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Newark
34.8
Tie
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.8 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 44.0% | 16.5% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $48,416 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $25,509 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 10.9% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 24.7% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 17.4% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $482,675 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 24.1% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.6% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.0% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 23.4% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 18.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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