City comparison
No. Durham's crime index is 193 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 163 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
Safety is where Cleveland and Durham split most clearly. Durham scores 148 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,060 in Cleveland and $1,508 in Durham.
Durham is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cleveland makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Durham is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cleveland at $1,060 average has pockets that run $860 and others at $1,460: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Cleveland and Durham are 409 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $448 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $81,619 in Durham, up $17,151 (27%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 193 in Durham, down 148 points (43%).
The move
Durham and Cleveland are 409 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $448 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $17,151 (21%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 341 in Cleveland, up 148 points (77%).
Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 30% cheaper than Durham
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Durham
$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,508 in Durham, so Cleveland is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $448/month back in your pocket ($5,376/year). Over five years that's $26,880 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Durham, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Cleveland is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
27% higher
Durham's median income is 27% higher than Cleveland
Cleveland
$64,468
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 27% higher in Durham (about $17,151 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Durham is the stronger labor market on paper. Cleveland can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
43% lower crime
Durham's crime index is 43% lower than Cleveland
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Durham
Winner193 (100 = avg)
Durham's crime index is 193 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% lower in Durham. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Durham is the easier city. Cleveland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
30% more comfortable
Durham weather is 30% more comfortable than Cleveland
Cleveland
52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Cleveland averages about 52°F (58°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Cleveland averages around 52°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 30% 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 Cleveland if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cleveland
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 30% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 27% 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.
Durham is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 43% lower than Cleveland (193 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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Durham: Durham scores 40/100 versus 23/100 in Cleveland, with typical rent at $1,508 versus $1,060. I would vet the exact ZIP in Cleveland before trading 17 safety points for housing savings.
Durham still pays more locally ($81,619 median income vs $64,468), which can offset the lease if your field pays Durham rates.
Median income is $81,619 in Durham versus $64,468 in Cleveland.
If safety drives your move, Durham is the stronger match (40/100 safety versus 23/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Cleveland, treat $1,060/month rent and $64,468 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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