Durham NC vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 190,214 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 44.0% | 40.7% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 13.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $66,772 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $36,694 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 20.1% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 34.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $429,449 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 41.2% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.6% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.6% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.4 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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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