Durham NC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Durham
44.0%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 13.6% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 34.4% | 27.5% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 12.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 52.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $435,807 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 51.2% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.6% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 61.1°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.1 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Durham, NC vs New York, NYDurham, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Durham, NCDurham, NC vs Houston, TXDurham, NC vs Phoenix, AZDurham, NC vs Philadelphia, PA