Durham NC vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 186,178 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.0 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 44.0% | 43.6% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 11.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $58,874 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $35,069 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 9.4% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.8% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 23.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $407,146 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 41.2% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.7% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 19.6% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 68.8°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | 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 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 460 in North Las Vegas. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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