Durham NC vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Durham
44.0%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 194,338 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 42.1 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.3% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 34.4% | 3.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Peoria
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $45,831 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 35.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $488,428 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 31.2 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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