Durham NC vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Portland
12.4%
White
Durham
44.0%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.6 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 12.4% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 34.4% | 5.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 11.3% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.8% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 53.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $538,687 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.7% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 78.3 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.5 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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