Durham NC vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 44.0% | 40.5% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 5.1% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $1,369,171 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 38.5% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.9 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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