Durham NC vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Durham
44.0%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 143,720 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.6 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 34.4% | 4.9% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 12.6% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Overland Park
49.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 49.4% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $487,466 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
Durham, NC vs New York, NYDurham, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Durham, NCDurham, NC vs Houston, TXDurham, NC vs Phoenix, AZDurham, NC vs Philadelphia, PA