Durham NC vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Durham
44.0%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.6 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 44.0% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 34.4% | 21.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.8% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $71,302 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.9% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 44.6% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 50.2% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.9% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 73.4°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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