Durham NC vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Durham
44.0%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 115,546 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.5 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 8.2% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.2% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.7% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 44.0% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $528,447 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.1% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.6 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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