Durham NC vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Durham
44.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 26,509 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 7.1% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 34.4% | 3.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 3.9% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 50.3% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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