City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Durham is cheaper. Median rent is $1,508 a month versus $1,509 in Fort Worth.
Safety is where Fort Worth and Durham split most clearly. Fort Worth scores 58 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,509 in Fort Worth and $1,508 in Durham.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Durham is the easier city on typical rent, but Fort Worth can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Fort Worth has rougher pockets and Durham has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Fort Worth and Durham are 1,073 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $1,508 a month in Durham, down $1 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $81,619 in Durham, up $2,112 (3%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 193 in Durham, up 58 points (43%).
The move
Durham and Fort Worth are 1,073 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, up $1 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $79,507 in Fort Worth, down $2,112 (3%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 135 in Fort Worth, down 58 points (30%).
Fort Worth, TX
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 Fort Worth and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Durham rent is 1% cheaper than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$1,509/mo
Durham
Winner$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,508 a month in Durham versus $1,509 in Fort Worth, so Durham is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $1, or $12 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 Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Durham's median income is 3% higher than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$79,507
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Durham (about $2,112 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
30% lower crime
Fort Worth's crime index is 30% lower than Durham
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in Fort Worth. 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, Fort Worth 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
Fort Worth weather is 20% more comfortable than Durham
Fort Worth
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Durham
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Fort Worth averages about 66°F (73°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Fort Worth 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Fort Worth if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (66°F) beat Durham on this page's weather index by 20%. Durham may pay more or cost less, but Fort Worth is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fort Worth is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Durham (135 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 and professional growth
Durham is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% 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.
Durham is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 3% higher here ($81,619). Start with Durham if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Fort Worth scores 51/100 versus 40/100 in Durham. Typical rent is the same $1,509/month in both cities, so you are choosing streets and blocks, not a cheaper lease.
Median income is $81,619 in Durham versus $79,507 in Fort Worth — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Fort Worth is ahead on safety (51/100 vs 40/100); Durham is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,508/month rent plus $81,619 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Weather averages land near 66°F in Fort Worth and 59°F in Durham.
Common questions
Ready to move to Durham?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Durham when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fort Worth and Durham, plus other cities in TX and NC.
