City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Durham is cheaper. Median rent is $1,508 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Durham and Gilbert split most clearly. Gilbert scores 146 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,508 in Durham and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Durham makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Gilbert is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Durham at $1,508 average has pockets that run $1,308 and others at $1,908: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Durham and Gilbert are 1,869 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $602 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $40,932 (50%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 47 in Gilbert, down 146 points (76%).
The move
Gilbert and Durham are 1,869 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,508 a month in Durham, down $602 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $81,619 in Durham, down $40,932 (33%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 193 in Durham, up 146 points (311%).
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Durham and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Durham rent is 29% cheaper than Gilbert
Durham
Winner$1,508/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,508 a month in Durham versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Durham is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $602/month back in your pocket ($7,224/year). Over five years that's $36,120 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 Gilbert, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Durham is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
50% higher
Gilbert's median income is 50% higher than Durham
Durham
$81,619
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $81,619 in Durham, so typical pay runs 50% higher in Gilbert (about $40,932 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, Gilbert is the stronger labor market on paper. Durham can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
76% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 76% lower than Durham
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 76% lower in Gilbert. 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, Gilbert is the easier city. Durham can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 20% more comfortable than Durham
Durham
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert scores 20% 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 Durham 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 Durham
Durham is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,508 a month. Choose Durham 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 50% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 76% lower than Durham (47 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
Safety is the widest gap: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 40/100 in Durham. Rent is $2,110/month in Gilbert and $1,508/month in Durham, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $81,619), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $81,619 in Durham.
Between Durham and Gilbert, Gilbert is ahead on safety — 83/100 safety versus 40/100. Lean Durham instead when you already know the Durham block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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