City comparison
No. Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 127 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
Safety is where Durham and Huntsville split most clearly. Huntsville scores 59 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 $1,171 in Huntsville.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Huntsville 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.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Durham and Huntsville are 442 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $337 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $6,905 (8%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 134 in Huntsville, down 59 points (31%).
The move
Huntsville and Durham are 442 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $337 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $81,619 in Durham, up $6,905 (9%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 193 in Durham, up 59 points (44%).
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Durham and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 22% cheaper than Durham
Durham
$1,508/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,508 in Durham, so Huntsville is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $337/month back in your pocket ($4,044/year). Over five years that's $20,220 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, Huntsville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
9% higher
Durham's median income is 9% higher than Huntsville
Durham
Winner$81,619
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Durham (about $6,905 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
31% lower crime
Huntsville's crime index is 31% lower than Durham
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
Winner134 (100 = avg)
Huntsville's crime index is 134 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% lower in Huntsville. 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, Huntsville 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
4% more comfortable
Durham weather is 4% more comfortable than Huntsville
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Huntsville
58°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 80/100
Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Huntsville averages about 58°F (69°F highs). Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Huntsville averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham scores 4% 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 Huntsville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 9% 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.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Huntsville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 31% lower than Durham (134 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
Durham carries the heavier crime signal on this page (40/100 safety vs 51/100 in Huntsville). That 11-point spread matters more than the $337 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Durham still pays more locally ($81,619 median income vs $74,714), which can offset the lease if your field pays Durham rates.
Median income is $81,619 in Durham versus $74,714 in Huntsville.
Huntsville 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
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Durham and Huntsville, plus other cities in NC and AL.
