Durham NC vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Durham
44.0%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 169,432 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 3.8% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 34.4% | 4.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.7% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $45,984 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $30,864 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 19.4% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 30.3% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 42.9% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Springfield
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.7% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.1% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.0% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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