Durham NC vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Orem
10.5%
White
Durham
44.0%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 86,973 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 10.5% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.9% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $70,053 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $33,579 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.7% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 25.6% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $509,396 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.1% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.5 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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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