Durham NC vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Durham
44.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 149,519 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 41.6 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 6.8% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 34.4% | 4.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Surprise
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $39,604 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 31.0% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $422,520 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 32.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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