Durham NC vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Durham
44.0%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 34.4% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 9.1% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $73,055 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $41,594 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.8% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 43.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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