Durham NC vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 153,455 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.1 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 44.0% | 30.4% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.5% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $2,144,024 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 43.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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