Durham NC vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 209,720 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 8.3% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 41.5% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $46,628 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $30,451 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.9% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 26.6% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 29.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 37.2% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 38.0% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.3% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.9% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.6% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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