Durham NC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Durham
44.0%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 98,677 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.0 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 7.5% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 34.4% | 29.0% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.1% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 8.6% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $52,671 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $34,792 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 19.7% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 28.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 51.7% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 41.9% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.9% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.0% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.7% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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