Durham NC vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Westland
9.2%
White
Durham
44.0%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 84,155 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.2 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 9.2% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 34.4% | 22.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.8% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $62,216 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $33,816 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 13.3% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 21.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Westland
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.3% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.0% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.6% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | 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
Durham +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.0 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. 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, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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