Washington, DC and Durham, NC are renowned cities in the US, each with distinct sociocultural and economic attributes. Comparing these two cities involves examining numerous factors, including crime and safety, cost of living, and education among others. The political epicenter of the nation, Washington, DC boasts historically significant monuments and sites along with thriving industries. On the contrary, Durham, NC, well known as part of the research Triangle, possesses its unique charm with prospering industries, a lower cost of living, and inimitable Southern culture.
Distance between
Washington, DC and
Durham, NC : 227.2 miles
Washington's population is larger by 135%. Its population has grown by 97,991 people (17.1%) since 2000. The population of Durham has grown by 98,492 people (52.7%) during that time.
When it comes to crime and safety, both cities have areas with higher crime rates and areas that are considerably safer. Washington, DC has a somewhat higher rate of both violent and property crime than Durham, NC. However, it's worth noting that safety can vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood in both cities. Both cities have resources and initiatives in place to improve safety and reduce crime rates.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,072 registered sex offenders living in Washington and 391 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Washington is 635 to 1; the ratio in Durham is 673 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Washington is near to than in Durham.
Cost of Living
On the whole, the cost of living is comparatively higher in Washington, DC than in Durham, NC. This difference is primarily due to higher housing costs in DC. In addition, groceries, healthcare, and transportation also tend to be pricier in Washington, DC.
Income Tax
The District of Columbia has a progressive income tax structure with rates ranging from 4% to 8.95%, while North Carolina has a flat state income tax rate of 5.25%.
Property Tax
Property tax rates also differ, with Washington, DC imposing a rate of 0.85% of assessed home value, while Durham County levies a rate of 0.74%.
Sales Tax
The sales tax in Washington, DC stands at 5.75% and in Durham, it's slightly higher at 7.5%. However, food and prescription drugs are exempt from sales tax in both locations.
Income
Type
Washington
Durham
Estimated median household income
$90,088
$71,343
Estimated per capita income
$65,808
$42,469
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
124.2
94.1
If you make $50,000 in Durham, you will have to make $65,994 in Washington to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Washington, DC is located on the east coast towards the south, characterized mainly by flatland with some hilly areas. On the other hand, Durham is located in North Carolina and is part of the Piedmont region, with rolling hills leading to the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west.
Both cities boast excellent educational opportunities. Washington, DC is home to top universities including Georgetown and George Washington University, and has a robust public school system. On the other hand, Durham is part of North Carolina's Research Triangle and hosts the highly respected Duke University and North Carolina Central University.
Washington, DC has a robust economy, with many employment opportunities in sectors such as public administration, education, healthcare, and professional services. Durham, NC, on the other hand, has a flourishing economy centered on the healthcare, education, and tech industries.
Biggest Employers
In DC, the biggest employers are the federal government, District of Columbia Public Schools, and Medstar Health. Meanwhile, in Durham, Duke University and Health System, IBM, and Blue Cross NC are the top employers.
There were 376 building permits issued in Washington in 2012 (149 more than in 2011) compared to 1,960 building permits issued in Durham in 2012 (1077 more than in 2011).
In Washington (District of Columbia), 90.9% voted for Democrats and 7.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Durham (Durham County), 75.8% voted for Democrats and 23.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
2020
92.6%
80.5%
5.4%
18.1%
2.0%
1.4%
2016
90.9%
77.7%
4.1%
18.2%
5.0%
4.2%
2012
90.9%
75.8%
7.3%
23.0%
1.8%
1.2%
2008
92.5%
75.8%
6.5%
23.7%
1.0%
0.5%
2004
89.6%
68.0%
9.4%
31.6%
1.0%
0.3%
2000
85.2%
63.8%
9.0%
35.7%
5.9%
0.5%
1996
85.2%
60.8%
9.3%
34.4%
5.5%
4.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
CATHOLIC CHURCH
12.6%
3.9%
7.4%
1.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
6.2%
3.2%
10.3%
2.9%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
4.4%
9.7%
10.3%
20.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
3.1%
1.0%
5.3%
2.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.9%
0.4%
1.8%
2.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.7%
1.1%
1.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.5%
0.4%
2.1%
1.3%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.4%
0.2%
0.3%
Weather
The weather in both cities includes four distinct seasons. However, Washington, DC has a somewhat more humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and cold, wet winters. Durham, NC, on the other hand, also sports a humid subtropical climate, but with slightly milder weather overall.
Weather and climate
Type
Washington
Durham
Temperature - Average
56.4°F
59°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.8%
73.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
44%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
81%
90%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
46%
Precipitation - Yearly average
42.7 in
47.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
32.4 in
13.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.9%
18.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
61.5%
63.9%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
21%
13%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
66%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
51%
Wind speed - Average
9.7 mph
7.1 mph
Average climate in Washington, District of Columbia
Average climate in Durham, North Carolina
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
Washington
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
Washington
Durham
2018
88
70
0.32
0.23
11.6
8.0
23.2
27.9
N/A
N/A
16.4
12.7
8.8
8.8
0.8
0.3
2017
84
68
0.32
0.23
12.3
8.6
24.9
25.8
N/A
N/A
16.5
13.3
9.8
9.2
1.0
0.2
2016
98
79
0.43
0.23
14.7
8.5
24.6
25.8
0.002
N/A
17.2
7.9
9.5
9.4
1.0
0.3
2015
91
78
0.34
0.27
14.8
8.9
26.2
27.6
0.002
N/A
17.0
12.4
10.4
9.0
1.3
0.5
2014
85
74
0.33
0.26
11.6
9.7
25.9
29.7
0.002
N/A
17.1
N/A
10.0
8.2
1.0
0.3
2013
88
73
0.34
0.26
11.7
N/A
25.6
26.4
0.002
N/A
17.3
N/A
11.6
8.0
1.0
0.2
2012
103
77
0.58
0.28
15.2
N/A
27.6
29.0
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
8.4
1.6
0.6
2011
105
83
0.67
0.27
15.4
N/A
27.7
32.0
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
9.8
3.1
0.7
2010
114
94
0.88
0.30
15.9
N/A
29.3
31.2
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
10.1
3.4
1.0
2009
90
78
0.86
0.33
16.2
N/A
24.4
25.3
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.6
9.8
4.6
1.0
2008
103
95
1.23
0.39
16.2
N/A
25.3
30.1
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
13.1
5.6
1.5
2007
113
98
1.17
0.40
16.8
N/A
27.1
35.4
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.4
13.9
5.1
1.2
2006
114
90
1.11
0.43
17.2
N/A
25.5
30.1
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.9
13.5
4.5
0.9
2005
105
73
0.86
0.41
20.5
N/A
22.7
31.4
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
N/A
4.5
2.5
2004
113
63
0.62
0.44
21.3
N/A
20.6
27.9
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.3
N/A
6.5
3.7
2003
108
84
0.90
N/A
23.6
N/A
20.8
29.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
8.3
3.0
2002
125
89
1.16
N/A
23.7
N/A
25.0
35.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7
2.6
2001
113
86
1.07
N/A
23.9
N/A
22.0
30.7
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7
2.2
2000
115
102
1.17
0.65
20.2
N/A
19.1
32.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Washington
Durham
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
110.6%
84.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
42.9%
55.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
16%
Transportation
Washington, DC boasts an extensive public transport system that includes the Metrorail and Metrobus. Durham, while not as expansive, offers various public transport options, including the GoDurham buses.
Transport
Type
Washington
Durham
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
456
100
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
3
4
Means of transportation to work
Type
Washington
Durham
Bicycle
2%
0.6%
Bus
6.3%
1.3%
Carpooled
7.8%
9.3%
Car alone
62.5%
84.4%
Railroad
0.3%
0.1%
Streetcar
10.6%
0%
Subway
1.3%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.8%
0.2%
Walked
5.7%
2.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Washington
Durham
Average
39.2 min
27.4 min
Other means
26 min
21.3 min
Public transportation
38.9 min
36.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Washington
Durham
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.4%
89.5%
In 2 person carpool
9.7%
7.9%
In 3 person carpool
0.6%
2.2%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0%
0.4%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is significantly pricier in Washington, DC, with a median home price well above the national average. Durham, in contrast, has more affordable housing options, although prices have been trending upward in recent years.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer diverse neighbourhoods. In Washington, DC, you might choose the cosmopolitan feel of Dupont Circle or the urban vibrancy of Adams Morgan. Durham offers the historical charm of Trinity Park or the trendy, revitalized atmosphere of Downtown Durham.
Houses and residents
Type
Washington
Durham
Houses
357,482
131,917
Average household size (people)
2.1
2.3
Median year apartment built
1965
1994
Median year house/condo built
1941
1995
Length of stay in the house since moving in
13.5 years
10.7 years
Houses occupied
319,565 (89.4%)
122,412 (92.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
132,936 (41.6%)
62,550 (51.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
186,629 (58.4%)
59,862 (48.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,791
$2,314
Median monthly housing costs
$1,817
$1,261
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$996,150
$117,283
Estimated median house or condo value
$669,900
$325,000
Median numbers of rooms
3.8
5.1
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.1
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
6.6
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$361,977
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$169,611
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$471,443
$259,774
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$527,983
$194,008
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$817,288
$286,940
Median house price - All housing units
$790,542
$350,027
Median house age
65
26
Renting percentage
58%
50.2%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,821.9
1,394
House value disparities
26.7%
29.7%
Household income disparities
45.7%
44.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$163,111
$106,360
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$108,852
$79,496
Housing units without a mortgage
777 (0.8%)
1,538 (3.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,586 (8.5%)
3,157 (6.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
100,122 (99.2%)
47,533 (96.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
1,057 (1%)
99 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
12,793 (12.7%)
3,728 (7.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
6
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.5%
0.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Washington
Durham
One, detached
11.2%
50.1%
One, attached
22.2%
9.8%
Two
2.7%
2.5%
3 or 4
6.8%
5.2%
5 to 9
7.3%
8.5%
10 to 19
8.5%
11.1%
20 to 49
7.6%
4.5%
50 or more
33.6%
8.1%
Mobile homes
0.2%
0.3%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,654
5,381
State government workers
6,699
13,743
Unpaid family workers
580
371
Industries and Occupations
Jobs in Washington, DC are prominent in the federal government sector, but the city also has a thriving private sector with an emphasis on law firms, independent contractors (primarily defense and civil), and non-profit organizations. Conversely, the economy of Durham, NC is firmly rooted in the vast education, health, and tech sectors, fostering significant research and development.
Both cities put a strong emphasis on healthcare. DC hosts world-renowned hospitals such as MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Children’s National Hospital. Durham is home to Duke University Hospital, known for patient care and medical research.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Washington
Durham
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Washington, DC, as a capital city, has highly developed infrastructure, including extensive metro and bus systems. Durham, NC, while smaller in scale, also boasts good infrastructure, with a focus on sustainable and green initiatives.
Infrastructure
Type
Washington
Durham
Hospitals
114
18
TV stations
27
25
Arenas or stadiums
4
1
Bank branches located here
247
63
Bank institutions located here
34
14
Main business address for public companies
30
7
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
2
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Washington
Durham
1999
1,328
991
2000
1,438
666
2001
935
510
2002
886
440
2003
1,319
369
2004
2,281
485
2005
2,920
593
2006
3,362
846
2007
2,548
610
2008
1,095
231
2009
514
144
Culture and Food
In terms of culture and food, both cities are vibrant and diverse. DC, being a cosmopolitan city, offers a variety of cultural attractions, including national museums, performing arts venues, and diverse cuisine. Durham too offers rich cultural experiences, steeped in southern traditions with a thriving food scene and music festivals.
Sports Teams
Washington, DC is home to multiple major sports teams, including the Washington Football Team, the Washington Nationals, and the DC United. Meanwhile, Durham is known for NCAA sports, particularly the Duke University Blue Devils.
Washington, DC
Durham, NC
Washington, DC and 
Durham, NC : 227.2 miles
