Durham NC vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Durham
44.0%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 79,526 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 40.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 13.6% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 34.4% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $514,358 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.5% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.5 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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