City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
The income gap between Durham and Richmond is significant: $81,619 median household versus $64,587. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,508 in Durham and $1,372 in Richmond.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Richmond 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
Durham and Richmond are 134 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $136 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $64,587 in Richmond, down $17,032 (21%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 169 in Richmond, down 24 points (12%).
The move
Richmond and Durham are 134 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $136 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $81,619 in Durham, up $17,032 (26%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 193 in Durham, up 24 points (14%).
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Durham and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Richmond rent is 9% cheaper than Durham
Durham
$1,508/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,508 in Durham, so Richmond is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $136, or $1,632 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 Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
26% higher
Durham's median income is 26% higher than Richmond
Durham
Winner$81,619
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Durham (about $17,032 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. Richmond can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
12% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 12% lower than Durham
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Richmond. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Richmond, 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
6% more comfortable
Durham weather is 6% more comfortable than Richmond
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham scores 6% 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 Richmond 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 26% 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
Richmond is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% cheaper here at about $1,372 a month. Choose Richmond if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Richmond is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Durham (169 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
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Durham at $81,619 median income versus $64,587 in Richmond. Housing ($1,372 in Richmond, $1,508 in Durham) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
With only $136 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,372 in Richmond and $1,508 in Durham.
Pick Durham when your field pays toward $81,619 median income. Otherwise, Richmond's case rests on a $1,372 lease that leaves more room in the monthly budget.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Richmond when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Durham and Richmond, plus other cities in NC and VA.
