Durham NC vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 209,529 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.0 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 44.0% | 38.0% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 17.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.1% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Yonkers
$42,770
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $42,770 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 35.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $685,544 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 47.2% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Yonkers
11.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.4% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 37.5 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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