City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
Chicago and Durham are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,440 in Chicago and $1,508 in Durham, and median household income lands at $77,902 versus $81,619. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and Durham pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Chicago and Durham are 620 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $68 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $81,619 in Durham, up $3,717 (5%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 193 in Durham, up 26 points (16%).
The move
Durham and Chicago are 620 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $68 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $77,902 in Chicago, down $3,717 (5%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 167 in Chicago, down 26 points (13%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Chicago rent is 5% cheaper than Durham
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Durham
$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,508 in Durham, so Chicago is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $68, or $816 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Durham's median income is 5% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Durham (about $3,717 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
13% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 13% lower than Durham
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Chicago. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Chicago, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Durham. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
26% more comfortable
Durham weather is 26% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham scores 26% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than Durham (167 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 5% higher ($81,619), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Chicago: Chicago scores 44/100 versus 40/100 in Durham, with typical rent at $1,440 versus $1,508. I would vet the exact ZIP in Durham before trading 4 safety points for housing savings.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below Durham's $1,508, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $81,619 in Durham versus $77,902 in Chicago.
Chicago clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Durham deserves a serious look only when you already know the Durham block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Chicago?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Chicago when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Durham, plus other cities in IL and NC.
