Durham NC vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 161,993 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 44.0% | 21.8% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $28,813 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 15.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $751,711 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 47.0% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.4% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 22.4% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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