Durham NC vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Phoenix
34.8
Tie
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Durham
44.0%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.8 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 34.4% | 7.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Phoenix
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $77,041 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $40,309 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.1% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.3% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 32.3% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $411,323 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.8% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 17.3% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 72.1°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.7 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 450 in Phoenix. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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