Durham NC vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Durham
44.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 186,419 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 13.9% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 34.4% | 7.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $77,643 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $42,371 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 49.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $468,328 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 41.6% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Tempe
10.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.6% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 71.3°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 Tempe. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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